Welcome, December!

Aw! The month of Advent and Christmas, and for my Jewish friends, the beautiful, upcoming days of Hanukkah — The Festival of Lights.

You may be one not-so-invested in the holidays when it seems everyone else is getting their holly-jolly-selves on! They’re cheerful, happy, all caught up in their blessing moods while you are in the middle of bailing water out of your boat.jingl

You may be one who dreads this time of the year as it holds many memories and you’re so very lonely. Or it is the season that reminds you that you don’t have very much or nothing at all to buy gifts for others – though you’re a “giver” and it breaks your heart that you can’t give.

I know not everyone is able to get into singing, dancing, ringing jingle bells or dreaming of a white Christmas. Your hope has been lost from the heaviness of the weight you are carrying. I know that because I’ve been there.

Here comes the lessons we learn again from Paul the Apostle who had the right to tell us what gratitude and hope looks like because he knew heavy weights too. He said: “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Hope does not disappoint us, because God poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us.” Romans 5:2-5

We can still be thankful because our future is based on God’s love, not on our present situation. We may experience temporary hardships, but they all came TO PASS. The phrase “it came to pass” occurs many times in the Old Testament. “It came to pass” reminds us that these tough times are soon over; they come, but they “come to pass.”

I know this scripture is true – I lived it. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Some of those nights were long, long nights, but they came and did pass.

Wounds heal. Heartbreak mends. Tears cease. A new day dawns. A new sunrise dispels the darkness. Despair loses its hold. Grief is replaced with hope. It came to pass.

Being positive and faith-filled takes discipline. Can I hear a big “AMEN”?It c We can do this. Gratitude is in us. Let’s not waste this season with worry. Let’s not live in regret. Let’s not miss out on THIS day that He made with you and me in mind. Because this day – came to pass.

We’ll never get this day and month back. As we embrace the journey of a young, courageous girl and a supportive, noble man to the town of Bethlehem, may we, too, take a journey of faith and hope that “Joy to the World” dispels the darkness around us and the brightness of the Star of Bethlehem brightens our world with hope and joy.

Isn’t it worth the effort to take the journey that might change everything? “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24