Every year I feel it. The weight of keeping up with Christmas lays heavy. I feel all the stress right up on the top of my shoulders. The heaviness creeps into my heart. Keeping up in a culture of comparison is impossible. Still, here I am holding beautifully wrapped packages of heavy burdens around my neck. Then, God is always faithful to remind me of Advent. The season where we anticipate His coming – a Savior who gives hope to the weariest of hearts.
Acts 17:24 -27
“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made of man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each of us.“
“He is actually not far”… So, in the middle of the bustle of Christmas, the hustle of a culture posting photos of perfectly decked halls and professionally trimmed trees, feel your way toward the One who gives “life and breath and everything”. He won’t leave you feeling heavy. His burden is light. Read Luke’s account of the coming of Jesus. Read it every day this month, if needed, to remind you of Advent, to remind you of the one on a search and rescue mission for you. Let your heart rejoice!
By Trisha Bowman
Christ Fellowship