Do you ever feel as if your life is like a roller coaster heading downhill? Everything is whizzing by so quickly that you can’t focus on anything—it’s all just a blur. The days leading up to Christmas can feel that way. Sometimes we need to slow down and reflect on God’s gracious gift.
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Simeon’s Patience
We live in a society that craves speed. We want overnight delivery, high-speed Internet access, short lines in stores, and fast food. Well, maybe we should scratch fast food. Most of us would trade speedy service for healthier and higher quality food. But, in general, waiting doesn’t rank high on our list of favorite activities; and patience is a virtue we appreciate in other people.
Simeon, on the other hand, waited for years just to spend a few minutes with Jesus.
[Read more…] about Simeon’s PatienceBest Supporting Actor
Almost every good story includes both leading and supporting actors. The Biblical narrative surrounding Jesus’ birth is no exception. Yesterday we looked at a leading actor—Mary. Today we’re considering a supporting actor—Joseph. Although Mary had the larger role, Joseph was right there with her, helping her all the way.
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Have you ever wondered what preparing for Jesus’ birth must have been like for Mary? Was she excited? Was she afraid? How did her family and friends react and relate to her? How did she make it through those nine months after the angel Gabriel told her she was going to be the mother of God’s Son? Pregnancy is challenging enough. Knowing that she was carrying God’s Son must have been almost overwhelming.
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Feelings of disappointment and discouragement go hand-in-hand with life in a broken world. These emotions remind us that all is not as it should be.
For many people the weeks leading up to Christmas are especially challenging. The activities and expectations of the season, the shorter days and longer nights, and even the elusive hope for the perfect Christmas experience all take their toll on our emotions. Those who are prone to despair and depression can find this time of year to be particularly difficult.
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