The Anointed of God (Part 2) - Holiday Blues and the Freedom of Christ

Along with the tinsel, lights, and blow-up Santas comes the endless number of "how tos" for beating the holiday blues. At just about every checkout line one can find magazines with tips for a more "enjoyable holiday." This I can understand. Christmas can be a stressful time; especially if finances are tight, or relationships are strained, or if one is spending the holidays in a hospital room or funeral parlor. I know.

In recent years I have found myself wondering what's around the corner when I turn the calendar to December. December hasn't always been "happy in a million ways" as the song "Home for the Holidays" promises. One year we celebrated Christmas in a back bedroom because of a house fire. Another year we took gifts into the hospital to our son who'd been diagnosed with cancer on Christmas Eve. Another year as the family sat around the table on Christmas night a phone call told us to scramble to get to NH before my much loved father-in-law stepped into eternity, which he did when we were still en route. The next December we had to make a repeat trip for my dear mother-in-law, arriving just a few hours before she went home to Jesus. And with many other Christmases including a burden for distressed loved ones in need of love and care, I've often had to fight for joy at Christmas.

But my fight is not my own. It was fought by Another. In Luke 4:18, 19 we see that the very Person we celebrate with parties and gift-giving is the very Person who came to fight for those who have no parties, no gifts, no cheer. He came to give joy to those who mourn, who are poor, who are sick and in captivity.

Jesus. He came for me. He came for me!! He was sent to proclaim liberty to the captives (we were/are all captive to something), and recovering of sight to the blind (physical and spiritual) and to set at liberty those who are oppressed (and depressed).

Though I've had many reasons to feel less than fully celebratory at Christmas, I can't help thinking of those who have even greater reasons for feeling "down" during this season. I'm thinking of those who have lost a child this year, or in years past. A loss such as this must feel like a gaping wound, especially around the holidays. I'm also thinking of those who are presently suffering for their faith in Christ. To mention a few, there are are families of martyred pastors, jailed youth in China, and women set on fire by gasoline who live to continue to share the good news of their Liberator.

If you are struggling with joy this Christmas and if you are feeling weighed down by your circumstances, there is Good News. It isn't found in the magazines, or in the talk shows, in a bottle, or at the doctor's office. It isn't found in watching a Hallmark movie.

True joy is found in the manger where we meet a baby who is good news for the poor, and who is the liberator of captives and who is the giver of sight to the blind and who is freedom for the oppressed.

This the only real and lasting remedy to beat those holiday blues. Look to Him and live in the liberty of his grace!!

Gayline Shorey