Greetings, grace and peace to each of you reading this post.

I do know how hard and strong the emotions can come, especially on this day, Christmas.  We are all suppose to show up at grandma or auntie's house with a expression of joy on our face as we watch nieces, nephews and others excitedly open their gifts, fight over toys, and pass out hugs like they are candy; all the while our hearts are breaking from being around such happiness.  So we sit there, a plastic smile on our face, a cordial response only when necessary, because we are missing our baby(ies) so very deeply.  And, if by chance, someone asks "what's wrong?" we numbly answer "oh, nothing..."

OK, Lori, you may say, where is the encouragement in that?
Please read on...

Let us take a few moments to reflect on the One who can relate to us even as we celebrate His birthday.
He came just for us!   What wonder is there in that simple statement. 

John 1:14   NIV     

  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, d who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Makes one wonder... what a change that must have been, leaving the perfect atmosphere of heaven to come and live on earth. 

He gave up heaven to live on earth, and ultimately pay for our sins with His death on a cross.  He came just for us!!!  Jesus said it himself:   Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

He knows our emotions, He hears our hearts when we cry out to Him, He can relate because He experienced it; so let us draw our hope from that! 
    

Mark 14:34   NIV    "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

And although He understands our deepest emotions He also offers each of us hope.  Hope that only He can give when we place our trust in Him.  He overcame/conquered death and the grave by His resurrection.  So Praise God, we serve a risen Savior! 

John 10:10   NIV

0 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

John 10:10   AMP

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it r overflows).

AND…

Rom 8:37   NIV

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Am I inferring that the hurt and pain go away completely, no.  But thru Jesus we have hope, the hope of one day seeing our child(ren) in heaven, the hope of living a life of joy, and when the emotions come, Jesus is right by our side, walking thru them with us and encouraging us, by His words in the Bible and even sometimes thru the encouraging words that He gives to someone else to share with us.

So let me leave you with a super ((((((cyber hug)))))) and encourage you if you have not already done so, to place your faith in Him.  Call out to Him…    

Rom 10:9-10   NIV

9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

And if you know  Him, talk to Him, just as you would a dear friend, pouring out all the emotions and giving them to Him.      

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

He is there for you - today, every day.  So be encouraged and have a Merry Christmas! 

Lori

(Hope to see you in chat Friday night.)