Tis the Season to be…
Pastor Dave Monreal, Lead Pastor
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:17-18
We have entered into the Advent season where even much of the world recalls some aspects of the Christmas season. It is a time of year where not just the church, but much of Western Civilization celebrates Christmas even if they do not recognize the Christ child. Coffee cups are emblazoned with the word, “Joy” and we hear not only Christian music but secular carols as well like, “Deck the Halls.” Here is the first stanza:
Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Don we now our gay apparel,
Troll the ancient Christmas carol,
This is the updated version from 1877, from an earlier English translation of the 16th century Christmas carol. It is a call to be jolly, merry, and joyous. There are, of course, many reasons we can find joy in this season as we celebrate with family and friends, reminding ourselves of the salvation that we have in Christ. But I also know that for some, this season is not one that brings fond or joyous memories. I think of one who struggles with abuse during childhood and this season opens old wounds that have yet to fully heal. I think of the man who is still grieving over his mother who died after a brief battle with cancer. I think of the one who is celebrating her or his first Christmas alone after death or divorce.
Emotions are real. They both are both a reflection of what is happening in our hearts and physical, chemical responses of our bodies to our circumstances and thoughts that we are not consciously able to control. I know some who struggle with depression who find themselves in seasons of sadness that do not correspond to the realities of the life around them. For some, depression is a physical response of their bodies which is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Others are depressed because of circumstances. However, just because we know what has caused our feelings, we are still not able to consciously control them. Emotions are like disobedient toddlers; you can tell them what to do but they won’t listen and are going to just keep on doing what they want. We cannot consciously control our emotions. We do have some indirect influence on our emotions as we willfully change our thoughts and focus. However, emotions do not automatically or necessarily quickly follow along. But in time they often do.
Why am I bringing this up? No, I am not trying to be a wet blanket on your joy of the season. But I wanted to remind us that if we are doing well or feeling joy-filled, that may not be the experience of everyone around us including fellow Christians. Many times, we cannot tell just by how they look on the outside. We need to be sensitive and understanding to those who are struggling and hurting, offering hope and healing in Christ. As we celebrate the first Advent of Christ, we also look forward to the second Advent of Christ when Christ will return in power “and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)
“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) God’s favor lasts for a lifetime and will stretch out into eternity. We may feel the darkness of night but there is a morning coming that will never end where we shall experience fullness of joy.
