Christmas Hope

For some, Christmas is …”the most wonderful time of the year… the hap-happiest season of all!” But for others, it is – to borrow a line from Shakespeare – the “winter of our discontent”.

Christmas for many is a season of sorrow. There’s the empty seat of a loved one who’s passed away, the pile of rubble and guilt created by the sin of indulgence, the loneliness and disappointment of a fractured family, the pain of job loss and fear of rising debt. Perhaps it’s you – or someone you know – who’s suffering this year.

If so, it’s a time to trust God in the midst of trials and pain.

In the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah said, “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”

So, trust Him. He is your Creator and your Savior. You can trust Him with your loneliness, your fears and your heartbreak and financial challenges…

Take care of yourself. Sleep, eat well, and exercise daily.
Go outside, breathe deeply, admire the sunrise, the sunset, the stars the God has made.
Don’t isolate yourself. We were made for community.
Know your limits. Don’t shop if you can’t afford it. Write notes, or make your own gift cards.
Look for ways to serve others. It gets your mind off yourself and puts things in perspective. You’ll quickly realize that others have their own challenges.

Praise the Lord every day. He is in control, reigning on high, and blessing in countless ways. Your gratitude will bring joy and a peace that surpasses understanding. He is your rock and fortress, an ever-present help in trouble!

If credit card debt is robbing you of peace this Christmas season, get in touch with Christian Credit Counselors. Don’t wait until January to start your debt payoff plan. You can learn more and start a free debt analysis by visiting crown.org/ccc.