“Rejoice always,<span class="crossreference" data-link="(A)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-29638A”> pray continually,<span class="crossreference" data-link="(B)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-29639B”> give thanks in all circumstances;<span class="crossreference" data-link="(C)” data-cr=”#cen-NIV-29640C”> for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.“
I Thessalonians 5: 16-18
For many of us, Advent is a time filled with reasons to be joyful.
Sure, there are busy calendars, Christmas travel plans, gift shopping, and other little things that pile up to make it stressful. . . but we can convince ourselves that it is the GOOD kind of stressful.
For many around us, Christmas doesn’t come with an assumed joy.
There are those who are mourning the absence of loved ones, who are dreading the need to look strained relationships right in the face, who worry about how they can afford the necessities. . . much less the frivolities of Christmas gifts and extravagant dinners.
Imagine how an unexpected””or unexpectedly complicated pregnancy””can compound all of those things. Or a pregnancy lost to abortion.
Imagine even more how much worse that is all made when someone doesn’t have the sustaining hope and joy of Christ in their life.
Christ alone provides the perpetual call and reason to rejoice in ALL things.
That’s why it is so critically important for us as believers and as life advocates to remain intimately connected to our Savior and also to remain vigilant for the opportunities with which He presents us to point others to Him. He alone can redeem the worst of situations and renew minds.
And what better time than Christmas to renew our commitment to share the good news of His birth. . . and what that means for today?
This week, please join me in praying:
For those who are burdened by loss or hardship this Christmas, that they would find comfort in the presence of the One who will never leave them and promises to always sustain them. . . Jesus.
For those who have lost the feeling of wonder in the miracle of Christ’s birth or doubt it’s true, that their souls would be rekindled by the fire of His love for them and their well-being, and that they would find new reasons to rejoice.
For those who feel that their pregnancies are not a cause for joy, that they would connect with others who can support them emotionally, materially, and spiritually and help them learn to rejoice in the midst of trial.