Have You Saved a Space at Your Table?

A time of year known to envelop joy, peace, love, and laughter can also bring less-than-merry moments into our lives.

For some, yes, it is easy to embrace the joy and merriment that surrounds us - to see the beauty and experience the happiness of the season as we gather with our friends and family. But for others, Christmas may be a little bit harder this year. 

For those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, it brings a painful reminder of one more vacant chair during a season of joy.

For those who are single and waiting for a spouse and a family of their own, makes a time of year to be celebrated with others seem more lonely. 

For married couples longing for the blessing of children, engaging in holiday festivities may seem incomplete.

For individuals and families struggling to make a living or those out of work, the commercialism of Christmas can be burdensome, knowing that they can afford little to give to their family on Christmas morning. 

For those living amid broken relationships, a broken home, or a broken life, hope seems to be lacking in a world telling them that good things happen at Christmas time.

For those who have grown and are growing older, it can also be easy to look back at how much more magical the season of Christmas used to seem as a child as we begin to compare our past with our present, often leaving us in a state of discontentment if we are not careful.

But regardless of what emotions this season brings or how it makes us feel, there is still joy to be found when we make space and invite Jesus to sit at our table.

The one who came to earth as a humble babe and died on the cross for our sins is still alive and well today and longs to dwell within our hearts if only we will let Him in. 

He is our comforter when we are grieving, our friend when we feel alone, a hand to hold when we are waiting, our sustainer when things look bleak, and our hope when all seems lost. And yet in every season, high or low, He is our joy. 

So wherever we find ourselves this Christmas and in the days to come may we never forget to make room for the one who came to make all things new.

Merry Christmas!