Daughters of Promise November/December 2014 | Page 32

the vulnerable heart even more raw and tender. Be
prepared for unexpected pain – and unexpected
joy. Let the tears flow; don’t try to pretend everything
is okay. But don’t fall into despair. God is in the
healing business. He will heal. Joy is around the
corner. Redemption is nigh.
And isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
Redemption. Jesus came to redeem; that’s His chief
business. He wants to take the hard things of life
and make them into something beautiful. He wants
to take your hard holiday and turn into something
beautiful. Allow Him to do His work.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, found herself in the center
of the Christmas story in a very changing world. In
many ways, her life was being painted in a swirl of
unexpected, complicated colors. Her response to
her changing circumstances are in Luke 1:46-55.
She says, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit
rejoices in God my Savior.” She also sings, “He fills
the hungry with good things.” He does fill us with
good things. I pray your life will be full of good things
this season, even in the loss, the uprooting, and the
disappointments. Keep your heart open and tender
to the good things He will bring your way.
Allow him to bring you joy this holiday. I remember
a week before Christmas, after my dad left HY