Christmas hasn’t always been full of lights, joy, laughter, yard decorations, gifts, and Christmas carols. It is easy to forget that 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born during a time that the Israelites were being oppressed politically. The religious elite were oppressing the people spiritually. It was a dark, uncertain time when hope was fading. It was a time when the Israelites had not heard from God in over 400 years. No prophet, no signs, nothing, just silence. There was a heaviness over the hearts of people. Questions of “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13)
Darkness
Silence
Fading hope
Oppression
Fear
Uncertainty
This is the world God chose to send his son. Jesus could have come at anytime in history to anyone, yet he chose to come during one of Israel’s lowest moments, to unwed parents who had been shunned by family and friends. A family that needed to travel to Bethlehem to be counted in a census.
Jesus, God Himself, entered into the deepest despair of Israel, in their darkest moment, quietly, unnoticed, gently. Jesus identified with those who were suffering, hopeless, uncertain, oppressed and fearful. Jesus came and filled the darkness with his all consuming, loving presence.
If you are struggling this Christmas season. If you feel a sense of darkness, fading hope, fear, hurt, pain, loss or uncertainty. It is ok. You are ok. Just like Jesus coming 2,000 years ago in to our cold dark world, He comes to you now in your struggle, in the silence, to sit with you, to cry with you, to be with you (Immanuel). He is with you and I pray that this short note, will encourage you that you are not alone. God sees you. I see you.
Phil Steiner 