(Here's what Roger SHOULD have done! LOL Peggy)
Nearly 30 years ago I worked as a cashier at a convenience store. One night a few days before Christmas a man came in and robbed the store. It was a very traumatic experience for me, one I will never forget. I thought it odd that such a crime would happen at Christmas, but the police said that crime actually goes up at the holidays.
Why? People feel desperate to have things, to be able to provide for their families. There is also much more new and valuable merchandise available for the taking.
It is ironic that the season of Christmas, the season that celebrates God’s gift of love to the world, is also when crime reaches a high point.
But this is nothing new. What emotion is the psalmist feeling? What is the solution?
We can find ourselves feeling downcast at the holidays. For many people, the holidays are actually a depressing time – the cold weather prevents them from getting out and about. The darkness of winter can cause depression. The stress of holiday shopping, of crowds, of expenses can really bring some folks down.
Even those of us who are able to keep our spirits up can feel discouraged and tattered by the hectic hustle and bustle of holiday parties and preparations.
We may easily find ourselves feeling downcast, having our souls disturbed within us. What is the solution to such a problem? The psalmist realizes he must focus on God. The troubles of life are set aside so that he can put his hope in God.
We can do the same. When we find ourselves feeling down or pushed around, beaten up by the holidays, we can put our hope in God. Focusing not on the material and tangible trappings of the holidays, but on the true reason for this celebration can lift our hearts and our souls.
Christmas is a season of hope. The birth of the Messiah was a reason for a world without hope to lift their eyes to heaven and praise God for His mercy. Christmas is still a time to remember the great gift of hope that God gives us through His son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Set aside a time each day of Advent to praise God, to put your hope in Him, and thus avoid feelings of being downcast.
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