“What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future.” Agnes M. Pahro
Can you believe that Christmas is less than one week away? Where has this year gone? The older I get, the faster the year passes by. I remember as a kid, from my birthday in July until Christmas in December, it seemed like an eternity. Now, I blink, and the year is gone.
I determined at the start of this year that 2022 was going to be the year of hope, and what a year it has been. My daughter got engaged in March. I traveled to New York to see my grandson, son and daughter-in-law a total of six times (and God willing I will return one more time before the year is over). I traveled to Charlotte to see my other kids three times. I visited a city (Chicago), and two countries (Argentina and Brazil) for the very first time. We were able to gather our whole family to celebrate Thanksgiving at Lake Norman. I reached the sixth floor of my life in July, surrounded by family and friends. I have so much to be grateful for this year. And even though, some days were less than perfect, I held onto Hope, and with God’s help, I got through those days.
I know a lot of people that are experiencing very difficult times. It has not been a golden year for many. But Christmas is the season of Hope, and that is what I would like to write about as we traverse through this last week of Advent.
The Holy Family did not have an easy time before, during or after the birth of Jesus. Joseph was looking forward to marrying Mary, and he found out that she was pregnant. Imagine the turmoil of emotions that he must have experienced when he thought that she had been unfaithful. Talk about dashing all his hopes for a happy future. But then, an angel showed up to tell him that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit, and his hope was restored.
In the meantime, Mary was having worries of her own. Since the angel appeared to her to tell her that God had chosen her to be the Mother of our Savior, she must have been plagued with questions and anxiety. Add to that the fear of telling Joseph, and the worry that he would not believe her. But what was the first thing that Mary did? She pushed her fears aside, and ran to her cousin Elizabeth to assist her during her pregnancy and delivery.
Once everything was settled between Joseph and Mary, and they were getting ready for the birth of Jesus, they had to pack up, and travel to Bethlehem. I remember how excited I was on the weeks leading to my firstborn’s birth. I had his crib ready, his clothes, and all the items that a baby needs. It was the same with Mary. She had everything ready, but she had to leave it all behind. She had to take just the essentials because they were traveling by donkey. But she placed her trust in the Lord, and went with Joseph to Bethlehem.
And then came the birth. Not on a comfortable bed with white clean sheets. She had to give birth inside a stable, surrounded by animals, and very unsanitary conditions. But she placed her Hope in the Lord. She was obedient to God, and brought her Son into the world with hope in her heart.
Things did not get any easier after the birth. Instead of being able to return to their home in Nazareth, they had to pack once again, and move to Egypt. This was a completely different country, with different traditions and religion. But they continued to trust and hope in the Lord. They settled in this foreign land because that’s what God asked them to do.
We can learn so much from the Holy Family. No matter what hardship we may be going through: loss of a loved one, illness, financial troubles, legal issues, divorce, family problems… we can look at the Holy Family and learn to trust God no matter what. They also teach us to obey God without fear because in the midst of our misery, He is in control of our situation. And they definitely teach us to hope. Christmas is the season of hope. Things will get better, just like they did for Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Keep your eyes on God, and let your hope be restored.
Copyright © 2022 Christy Romero. All rights reserved.
