The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?–Proverbs 18:14

During World War II, a woman took her two little children to visit her parents in Texas because her husband was stationed in Europe. As they got ready for Christmas—setting the tree up, putting the presents out, and preparing dinner—they were experiencing the joy of Christmas, almost forgetting the worry of war. But no sooner had the fun began, than the family heard a dreaded knock on the door and received a terrible telegram greeting.

The young mother had to tell her children that Daddy wouldn’t be coming home for Christmas…ever. And then she went up to her room to weep alone. Her parents debated and finally decided to take down the Christmas decorations and put the presents away. When the young lady came downstairs, she immediately saw the empty spot. She exclaimed, “Mother, what have you done?”

Her mother replied, “You’re so broken-hearted, so your father and I decided this is not the time for Christmas.”

The new widow said, “Oh no, mother, bring it all back. Christmas was made for times such as these.”

Many people have overwhelming problems which make it hard to get excited about the holidays whether they be financial difficulties, physical ailments, loneliness, or emotional pain from the loss of a loved one. Christmas is certainly not about the presents, lights, and decorations, but it is surely a time when we can lean on the goodness of God and rejoice in Christ’s birth.

Try serving someone else this season and God will bless you (see Acts 20:35). Jesus came to this earth to serve others and to give His life for you (see Mark 10:45). Among all of the other difficulties this time of year, that is reason to celebrate!

Amidst difficulties this season, praise God and thank Him for His many blessings and salvation. (From “Senior Living”)

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.–Job 14:1

People might debate many verses in the Bible, but here’s a verse just about everyone would have to agree on….the days of our life are “full of trouble”. It seems to me that only the young or very foolish might question the truthfulness of this statement. Older and wiser folks know it is true.

Here we see man’s birth…”born”, brevity…”of few days”, and his burdens…”full of trouble”. We are reminded of our delivery, difficulties, and death. As much as much as we might desire a trouble-free life, it ain’t gonna happen! Not yet. Life is fleeting and full of trouble, and we are frail. Our days are short and our sufferings are many. Notice, he says, “full” of “trouble”, not a “few” troubles. We live in a fallen world and that’s what we ought to expect–“man is born unto trouble”(Job 5:7). If you’ve lived very long you don’t need any convincing. Experience has taught you that this is true. We simply cannot escape. We can only endure.My heart aches for those whose heart breaks because of some trouble. They have questions and neither I nor you have the answers. We want to help, but the severity of their situation is far beyond our ability to solve.

Troubles come in all sorts, shapes, sizes, and seasons. Some are minor, just enough to annoy; others are major, more than enough to afflict you. Some simply make you uncomfortable, others seem unbearable. Some are like a chilly breeze that deprives you of comfort. Others are like a hurricane that is about to destroy all that is dear and precious to your heart. What ever the case, in this world there will always be “trouble”.

Dear friend, it is useless to deny this or to despair because of it. Sure we grieve..God expects us to do so. But our troubles should make us better, not bitter. This is the lot of all men, and all is either caused or allowed by our loving Father, who is all wise and ever loving. In our present state we cannot understand the reason why–it makes no sense to us now, but bye and bye, we will stand before the Lord and the fog will lift, we’ll know as we are known and it will all make sense. Then we will see no reason to complain. In fact, believe it or not, we will actually rejoice, knowing that our perfect God was in full control and subjected us to these troubles for some good reason and glorious purpose. Until then it is good to remember this–when you can’t trace God’s hand, trust His heart. As the old song says, “We’ll understand it better bye and bye”. I can’t answer your questions, but I offer this advice–seek His glory, trust His grace, and believe that some good will be the result. Until the day that God when explains every mystery, dries every tear, rewards every servant, and re-unites all His children, I “weep with them that weep”(Romans 12:15). Your servant for Christ sake, Bro. Stone

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord.–2 Cor. 5:8

Fellowship with Jesus is the highest, purest,
sweetest mercy, a saint of God can have on
earth! Yes, it is the highest, purest, sweetest
bliss, the saints of God can have in heaven!

What is the enjoyment of heaven?
Not merely . . .
exemption from trial,
freedom from sorrow,
rest from toil,
release from conflict.

Oh no! it is the presence—the full
unclouded presence of Christ!

To be with Christ,
to behold His glory,
to gaze upon His face,
to hear His voice,
to feel the throbbings of His bosom,
to bask in the effulgence of His presence,
Oh, this is heaven, the heaven of heaven! (By Octavius Winslow)

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”(Luke 2:13-14)

In the year 1809, the international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria and blood was flowing freely. Nobody was thinking about babies, but rather people were concerned with the wars and tyranny that existed. However, the world was overlooking some very significant births during that time.

 

That year many notable people were born: William Gladstone, destined to become one of England’s finest statesmen; Alfred Tennyson, born to an obscure minister and his wife, greatly affect the world of literacy; Oliver Wendell Holmes, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Edgar Allan Poe, who began his eventful, yet tragic, life in Boston; Charles Robert Darwin, born to a physician and his wife; and Abraham Lincoln, born in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky.

 

If journalism and news broadcasts had existed in 1809, these words might have been heard: “The destiny of the world is being shaped on an Austrian battlefield today.” But in reality, history was being shaped in the cradles of Europe and America. Similarly when Jesus was born, taxation was the big news. But a young Jewish virgin woman cradled the biggest news of all: the birth of the Savior.

 

Even today, sometimes the biggest news is the latest product to buy at Christmas, the best vacation spot during the holidays, or the idolizing of icons that have become great symbols over the years during the season. You must remember that the greatest news of all was the birth of Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection years later. Jesus is the greatest news you could share with anyone this season.   (from Senior Living).

” A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones”–Proverbs 17:22

I know you are busy getting ready for Christmas, so I’ll keep this short. Here is one of my favorite stories. It is a message that most of us need–especially this time of the year!

One Christmas Eve, as late Christmas shoppers hurried along the street, a crippled newsboy stood on his crutches offering his papers to the passersby. He looked happy, and his crutches were decorated with evergreens.

One man greeted him with a cheerful smile, “My boy, you surely have the Christmas spirit.”

The boy replied “What’s the use of putting on a sour face? Sure, I am poor and lame, but that’s no reason for looking glum. I won’t get presents like other boys at Christmas, but I can have fun, too. So I decorated my crutches just to make them seem special for Christmas.”

If we go out to seek joy, it will elude us. If we go out to impart joy, we will find it. This Christmas, whether you have little or much, it makes no difference. It is your attitude that counts.