It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...for Sorrow?

Read Isaiah 53:1-7

The Christmas season is one filled with joyful celebration and elation. Radio playlists are replete with familiar tunes such as, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” which, in addition to the title, includes the lyrics, “It’s the happiest season of all.” This has indeed held true in my own life. I love the Christmas season and all the festivities and traditions associated with it.

This year, however, the season has struck me a bit differently. I’ve suddenly become aware that this is also a season where deep sorrow is appropriate. Don’t get me wrong, I plan to participate in and fully enjoy all that this season affords in the celebration of the arrival of the Christ-child 2,000 years ago. But how often during this time of year do we stop to consider what exactly transpired to make the incarnation necessary? Advent was the only sufficient response to a grave rebellion. Your rebellion. My rebellion. The baby sleeping in the manger did not incidentally grow up to be a suitable savior of the world, the atoning sacrifice to cover a multitude of sins. This was the plan from the beginning. He was sent specifically to address the issue of our innumerable offenses against a holy God. Consider the prophet Isaiah’s words,

“He Himself bore our sicknesses,

and He carried our pains;

but we in turn regarded Him stricken,

struck down by God, and afflicted.

He was pierced because of our transgressions,

crushed because of our iniquities;

punishment for our peace was on Him,

and we are healed by His wounds.

We all went astray like sheep;

we all have turned to our own way;

and the Lord has punished Him

for the iniquity of us all.” 

Christmas is indeed a time for celebration. Christmas is also a time for sorrow and repentance. Have you recently expressed to God your grief over all that you have contributed, namely your sin, to make your salvation necessary?

Starter Prayer

Father,
I’m sorry for the way I have rebelled against you. I often turn to my own way rather than your way. Thank you for sending your son to take the punishment for my sin. Help me to trust that your way is better than mine, and help me to never lose sight of the gift of grace you have given me through your son.
Amen.