Photo by Greg Weaver on Unsplash
Read Luke 1:7 to 2:21.
There’s a sickness affecting many people today – more than half a million, in fact, according to one study done in the US. It’s called SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Others just call it the “holiday blues.” Symptoms include, but are not limited to, feeling depressed when everyone else is celebrating. It happens, interestingly, during festive occasions; like Christmas, for instance.
Instead of feeling joyful or excited, some people dread thinking about this season. The reasons might be as seemingly trivial as thinking about all the parties that you have to attend (“Should I go?”), the food that you need to prepare (“How many guests?), or eat (“No, not spaghetti again!”), the clothes that you need to wear (“Do I have something to wear?”), the gifts you need to buy (“Will mom like this?”)… Well, this list can go on and on. Just thinking about the stress that goes with Christmas can get you down even before it starts!
For others, there may be deeper reasons. Some enter this season with lots of regret over things they have done or have not done, even promised God that they will do or not do anymore. They committed sins, blunders, mistakes they are sorry for or have broken relationships from misunderstandings or selfishness. Family members are no longer in talking terms because promises were broken. Loved ones are lost to breakups. Christmas reminds them, not so much of the good news, but of their failures. They have failed God, others, and even themselves.
Still others grieve for the loss of loved ones or family members to death – and they could not even begin to imagine the thought of celebrating without their loved one around.
But Christmas is about good news. It’s about Jesus – and not just about the baby Jesus. He is the Good News of God to all! At his birth the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Lk. 2:14)
Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth longed for peace but almost gave up on it, for they were childless. Both were very old, and Elizabeth was barren. (Lk. 1:7) Yet God had a plan. He always does. He sends Gabriel, an angel who stands at the very presence of God, to bring good news. A baby is coming! But Zechariah couldn’t believe his ears. He asked the unfortunate question, “How can I be sure of this?” He adds, “I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” (as if the Lord was not aware of it). As a result, the angel Gabriel pronounces a temporary consequence – Zechariah would be silent and not able to speak until the child is born.
Elizabeth responded differently. She said, “The Lord has done this for me. In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” Peace was on its way at last!
But God didn’t stop there. He sent His angel Gabriel to a virgin named Mary. He gave her the troubling information that she would become pregnant even before she would consummate her marriage to Joseph. The angel assured her that all this is of God. Nothing to worry about. Peace would be upon her, because God’s favor was upon her! In fact, both she and Elizabeth received God’s favor.
Mary’s response? “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Good question. Gabriel explained how this would all happen. Miraculously, of course. “For no word from God will ever fail.” Mary accepts her calling. Peace enters her heart. “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Elizabeth celebrates with her cousin Mary. The good news is on its way, and everyone is excited, even John the Baptist, who was still in Elizabeth’s womb! Mary starts belting out a spontaneous song, inspired by the Holy Spirit! Zechariah joins the chorus as well! Everyone is singing. Peace is indeed overflowing, because God’s favor is being poured out!
No one can force you to celebrate this Christmas. You may feel sad for all sorts of reasons. But once you understand the true message of Christmas – that God sees us and our needs, and that Christ has come to bring peace to everyone and be our peace – He will turn your sadness into gladness, and your gladness into real peace. Peace be upon you this Christmas!
Bong Baylon is a leader, communicator, and mentor, and pastor at Real Life Christian Communities in San Pedro, Laguna. Together with his wife Gina, his passion is to raise up leaders and help them lead better, starting with their two sons, John David and Joseph Immanuel.
