Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean everything is suddenly all twinkly and cheery. Right? If anything, Christmas shines more light on those things that don’t seem to fit into our picture of the perfect holiday scenario.
So what do we do with a broken Christmas?
Thankfully, we have a God whose light is brighter than the dark things of life. We have a God who “holds all things together” (Colossians 1:17) – from the universe to our hearts.
Especially our hearts.
The surrendered response of our tenderest selves in worship is the elixir the great Healer calls for in these moments. As we fight to make Him the center of our focus (instead of ourselves) and humbly bow before all He is, the massive expanse of His glory floods our souls with a peace that surpasses any understanding (Philippians 4:7).
This isn’t another ignorant ritual or empty promise like the world keeps throwing our way. Seeing Him – reveling in Him – transforms our perspectives on those broken things that deeply wound our hearts. It saturates our souls with the powerful effects of His conquering light.
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light” (Psalm 36:7-9).
In Him, we have hope. In Him, we find peace. In Him, joy is supernatural instead of dependent of everything in our lives (or churches!) being perfect.
In fact, worship should be the front-line of our battle plan. (Remember King Jehoshaphat!) Worship resets our hearts and minds and invites God to be God in us, for us, and around us – regardless of the situation.
Feeling like you’re headed for a broken Christmas? Stop what you’re doing and ask God to help you see Him right there in that place you’re living. Yes, the God who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17). The God who sees (Genesis 16:13). The God who heals hearts (Psalm 147:3). The only wise God (1 Timothy 1:17). God, our Rock and our Fortress (Psalm 18:2). God, whose love is beyond comprehension and unfailing (Psalm 143:8). God, who satisfies the deepest longings of our soul (Psalm 63:4-5).
And worship Him.
“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You.
So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips (Psalm 63:1-5).
Lay out your heart (wounded or not) before God and invite Him to pour His redeeming life into it. And then revel at the feet of the greatest gift you’ll ever receive in this Christmas – or in this life. Jesus.
If you enjoyed this post, please SHARE it with others. (Share buttons are below.) I’d love to hear what you think, too!
SUBSCRIBE to my Worship and the Word blog so you don’t miss out on any new posts!
AND receive “4 Keys to Intimate Sunday Morning Worship” for FREE!
Worship Leader Magazine awarded Worship and the Word as one of the “Best of 2014” books!