“Holiday Despair”

The Season is upon us, for some there is joy and comfort in knowing that they will get to spend some time with their families. However for most, The season brings along pain and stress, the worries of the extra expense, cooking for many and just the thought of being around people they do not care for.  For some it is bittersweet, it can be a season of despair, and often, a dreaded time. For some of these people, the mindset is, ‘everyone is happy but me.’ They do not realize that many others like them are suffering during the holidays. They do not realize that is does not have to be this way.  People rushing around shopping for the ingredients for the turkey dinner for 15, laughing and singing those silly Christmas tunes, you know the ones that make you sick that you have heard them your entire life. If this sounds all too familiar to you then it is very evident that you have forgotten the full meaning of the holidays.
Matthew 1:18-25 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—, which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (KJV)

This is the reason for the Holiday Season, The birth of Jesus Christ. Gifts should be given out of love, not fear of how you will put the next meal on the table. The best gift one can give is time, love, understanding and caring. The Lord is aware of the trials and tribulations that you are going through and He does not want you to suffer because of His birth. His birth was meant to be to show you just how much He loves you. He was born so that He could die for us so that we could have a future with Him.
The spirit of being around your family and friends is meant to be joyous, if you feel you are alone and have no family or friends, please take a minute and ask Jesus to be your friend, He will not let you down. Trust and have faith in who He is, for Christmas to come is about His birthday.
The holiday’s leading up to Christmas are a time of gathering with friends and family, if you have none, fine a Christian ministry, a homeless shelter, and volunteer your time and be with others who may be going through what you are, but do not let Satan control this time. God is love…If presents and wrapping paper, mistletoe and Santa Clause are all stealing your vision away from the true reason for this season, take a few minutes to pray. These next few weeks should be a time of cheer, even with the difficult economic times where most of us will not be able to buy elaborate gifts, we can still spread the news of Christ’ birth. Let us celebrate this thanksgiving and Christmas by showing our love for others and for the Love of our Heavenly Father. God bless you my friends…