Psalm 34:8 (KJV)
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Christmas can be a beautiful time of the year. Even if you live in an area where the dull colors of winter have already set in, you can usually find people adding their own touch of color and sparkle to the environment. From green wreaths and red poinsettias to colorful lights and wrapping paper, Christmas seems to be full of celebration and shine. And it’s not just the visuals. Christmas is an experience for all the senses. We fill up the airways with carols and songs. We taste and smell the best of food. We gather with friends by firesides with our cocoa and s’mores. And we exchange warm hugs as well as gifts. Perhaps there is no better time that we resemble our Creator than when we are engaging in meaningful relationships, creating beauty, and giving gifts.
Yet, sadly, the holiday season is also marked by a great number of people dealing with depression. Could it be that a hurting heart feels so much worse when measuring the widening gap between expectations and reality?
There were at least three good gifts God gave to humanity at Creation which can be helpful whether you find yourself joyful or struggling this Christmas. Those gifts are beauty, relationships, and free will.
God created a world of beauty that speaks of all that is good and full of life and hope. He also created our senses so that we could fully experience and appreciate the goodness of these gifts. It is amazing how a walk in nature or just the right song can crack the door of a troubled mind open to the light of hope where God can step in.
God also gave us the gift of relationships, both with Himself and with others. When God said “It is not good that man should be alone,”(Genesis 2:18) He sure knew what He was talking about. After experiencing Covid restrictions, I believe we all have a greater appreciation for the gift of friendship and time with others, face to face. Seek out positive engagement with others and try to be on the look out for how you can be an encouragement to someone else. And know that God is always available. Reach out to Him in prayer and song. Hear from Him through His words. And be His representative by caring for someone else’s needs, too.
Lastly, God’s gift of free will allows us to choose to seek help when we need it. We may not be able to control everything that happens in our world, but we can choose to make wise and good decisions ourselves. We can choose how we respond. And we can choose to help others. Ask God for wisdom.
All these gifts are meant to draw us into an attitude of praise and thankfulness to the God who created them, because they also speak of His care and love for us. He knew we would enjoy and need these things. And He took great delight in creating them for us.
Proverbs 17:17 (WEB)
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.