It often begins with an unfamiliar phrase or a single name. Nonsense syllables, like “bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.” From a great distance your ears receive the words, but your mind races around desperately trying to find a context or even a compartment to hide the ominous message. Locking the door and throwing away the key is your preference, but instead more words and details barge in. And there it is. A rocky road, complete with cliffs and dark caves, becomes truly apparent.
Christmas is not typically described as a “rough road.” From our human perspective, Christmas is usually considered a “magical” time.
However this is not always the case.
If you think about it, Christmas might more have been a matter of God choosing to take the “rough road” than an experience of sending His son to embark on delightful adventures!
Compared to the comfort and style of a peaceful, joyful, kingly palace, what’s the worst place you can imagine? Now imagine living there.
Christ did this when He came to earth.
We often forget about the “rough road” God chose to let Christ endure in order to save our souls.
When we are thrust on a “rough road,” we can find comfort in knowing there is one who has endured every aspect of the difficulties we face.
Physical debility, betrayal, abandonment, mistreatment, violence, prejudice, slander, alienation, and death are just a few of the terms that could describe the rough path of God’s son—The Christ—The Savior—T he Jesus-of-the-manger by whom we celebrate Christmas.
When you gush over Christmas, don’t forget this detail.
When you struggle to be joyful in a season that expects it, don’t give up.
Take courage, face the “rough road,” and remember you are not alone!
The Christ of Christmas is with you!
And in the end by God’s mighty power, Christ conquered and rose again.
Here’s some Bible words to help you out.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:2
“….and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
Jesus went on the “rough road” so knees would bow to the Living God! What a great “rough road” reason to endure!
Here’s another result of godly endurance…..
“The path of the godly person is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Proverbs 4:18
My prayer is for those who are enduring “rough roads” this Christmas season. I am asking God to comfort, protect, and strengthen you!
Be blessed!