Cheer up Dude, It’s Christmas!
As we enter the holiday season we are kicking off a brand new series called, “Don’t Be A Grinch”. These next two weeks will focus us on the ways Jesus’ birth teaches us to have joy in difficulty and not being people marked by negativity.
A common trope in many holiday stories is the character who you may think of initially as evil, hating Christmas, but find as the story unfolds is just wounded eventually coming to a place of love and happily ever after.
There are multiple examples of this story, Ebenezer Scrooge the penny pinching grump, who through life’s hardships has allowed himself to become bitter and angry but after three ghostly visits finds his Christmas cheer. I think of Charlie Brown whose Christmas special finds him disillusioned with the holiday, hoping to find its true meaning and of course the Grinch seated on Mt. Crumpet angrily planing the demise of the Yuletide season.
Luke Chapter 2:1-20 tells a very different Christmas narrative. Though it is not lacking in pain, hardship and trouble, the message of this story is joyful! Perhaps, the ceramic figurines that adorn our grandmas fire mantle poorly depict what was anything but a silent night.
Much like the world into which Jesus was born, our world is broken! And though born into a dark world, Jesus brought light. Sometimes we allow the modern trappings of Christmas to convince us that it is the celebration of the holiday that brings joy, when in fact it is the reason for the holiday who is our joy.
It was this joy and contentment that Paul wrote to the Phillipian Church from prison. It was this joy that the story of Jesus’ birth exudes. This joy that is uncommon and so desperately needed. It is the messiness of Jesus birth that shows us we can have joy in moments of our lives that are inconvenient and uncomfortable.
We see this inconvenience displayed here as Mary and Joseph welcome this child in tax season, in the middle of the night, surrounded by animals, while on a trip. Not that any time for birth is particularly convenient, this was all the much more inconvenient. Yet we see the angels rejoicing at this news because they knew the truth, when Jesus enters the story things change!
Mary illustrated this when she worshiped God even in her pregnancy. A pregnancy that was in violation of the law, dangerous and could lead to her death. In the face of inconvenience, Mary rejoiced.
This story aslo shows us an example of having joy in discomfort. Though I’ve never given birth, I can say with confidence that birth is not comfortable! Additionally this was not in a hospital, there were animals surrounding Mary and Joseph and shortly after they were visited by shepherds. This was not the height of luxury!
James, Jesus’ half brother, encouraged us to consider it joy when we experience trials on this earth and I believe even still that there is purpose in your struggle! God is with you in your frustrations and difficulty.
So what about us? What do we do when we face discomfort, frustration, opposition, discouragement and difficulty?
Surrender to God, asking him to use our discomfort. Romans say’s God is working things together to glorify God and for our good. So tell God you’re frustrated and discouraged! Ask him to do what he says he will.
We also need to trust God in the process. Perhaps what you are experiencing doesn’t make sense, and maybe it never will, but I believe that God is big enough to use it. In moments like these we have to choose the response of faith.
Lastly we celebrate! Don’t grow tired in your moment of frustration or inconvenience. If there Is still breath in your lungs, God is still working and moving. That’s worth celebrating!
Cheer Up Dude, It’s Christmas, Jesus has come to give us Joy in our times of frustration and struggle.
Questions for Further Discussion:
What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message or your small group?
What’s something difficult or frustrating that you have faced in life? What did you learn from it?
Why might God allow us to experience difficult things? What could God be teaching you from something inconvenient in your life right now?
How can I help you stay joyful in moments where things aren’t easy?
