By. Bob Alderman

Pastor of First Baptist Church

(idea and some info from a article in SBC Life Dec. 2001)

How are your holidays this year? Have you bought all your presents yet? Are you still struggling with shopping and cooking and cleaning and family and – AAARRGGGHHH!

Sometimes it seems that the pressures of this time of year can be overwhelming. There is too much to do and too little time and it seems like something always goes wrong!

Then the bad thoughts start; “It’s Christmas, why am I so angry?” or “Gee, this is the worst holiday season ever!” Is your holiday shaping up to be a “BLUE CHRISTMAS”? You are not alone.

We create this picture of what Christmas should be like in our mind and forget that we are living in an imperfect world. Do you really think that June Cleaver or Martha Stewarts holidays REALLY go as well as their TV show events do? Not a chance.

The church has long ignored the “dark side” of Christmas, choosing to paint on a happy face and pretend that real life is placed in a state of suspended animation for 3 weeks every year. Unfortunately, real life goes on. Plans are changed at the last minute, we can’t find the toy little Bobby wants, the in-laws suddenly become allergic to turkey and someone becomes ill and has to go to the hospital.

In many households this Christmas, this special day will only serve as a reminder of a loved one lost, a broken family or past tragedies. Maybe your loved one is far away fighting a war we know very little about and may never come home.

If you are worried, frustrated and/or sad this season understand that you are more “NORMAL” than most folks want to admit.

If you are tired of the pressure and the problems of the holidays and fed up with the false hope of the American “FANTASY FAMILY EVENT” of Christmas time I have some encouragement for you today!

There is abundant hope in Jesus Christ!

In Luke Chapter 4 the Bible records Jesus saying this, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come." (NLT)

This Good News was given to us as the Baby in the Manger whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas time. This Hope is not built on anything of this world, but upon the everlasting Love of God Almighty.

Do you know that our Father God has plans for you? And He wrote them down so you could know them? Listen to Him speak to you from the Book Of Jeremiah Chapter 29, “For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”(NLT)

The little one in the manger came to help you and give you hope.

This Child grew up among us and knows about the problems you face and the frustrations life can toss at you.

Jesus knows what it is to hear bad news, to be captive, lied about and brokenhearted; He felt the sting of being abandoned, misunderstood and to love and not be loved back.

Jesus came to us as a Baby, lived among us, taught us and died at our hands for one reason and one reason only – HE LOVES YOU!

Jesus knew that the only hope of rescue we could ever have was for Him to sacrifice Himself for you; and He did so willingly.

Hope is Jesus! The Baby in the manger this holiday season offers more hope than Santa Claus! He did not come to simply give you presents; He came to exchange the “Bad Gifts” you have received for the Good Gifts He brings.

You can exchange mourning for Joy, despair for Hope and you can give Him the ashes of your life and receive a beautiful new life in return!

Jesus can bring you VICTORY, even in the most troubled time.

HOPE is for you and is always available. You may not be ready to accept the hope Jesus has prepared for you, but know that it is always available to you as long as you are alive on this earth.

I pray that you have a HOPE-FULL Christmas!

Jesus Loves You! And so do I.