Christmas Chaos I

When I see Christmas lights, I think of Joyce Byers. She lost her son to the Upside-Down, a dismal nightmare world with a demagorgon loose. She barely has any friends to confide in, and her only hope is her son, who uses Christmas lights to send messages to her. She would have to journey through the danger and mystery (with some geeky kids and a telepath) to be reunited with her son.

If you think about it, getting an unmarried teenager pregnant is a crazy way to start a rescue mission. Mary was given the seed of the Holy Spirit, and she would bear a child with no earthly father. The shame and punishment of a fatherless pregnancy would push her to stay far away from her family and friends. Meanwhile, Joseph would have to trust that she was telling the truth.

Mary’s story seems more appropriate for an MTV reality show rather than a Hallmark holiday movie, but she is the poster child of “dealing with bad seasons.” Even when we follow God’s plan perfectly, we still have to navigate through chaos and hardship. She had to endure 9 months of uncertainty, fear, and stress and it should give us great comfort.

It wasn’t until Mary gives birth to Jesus does she see how glorious and awesome the plan really was. She had no regrets on her path, and the world can thank her for being so faithful.

Maybe you are going through a “mid-pregnancy” moment right now. You are doing everything you can to manage the chaos and keep from going crazy, but it still hurts. Take Mary’s promise: the pain won’t last forever, and the result will grow a stronger view of Jesus.

Figure it Out:

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,[b] of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9

  1. Circle any key words or phrases you find significant. What makes them meaningful to you?
  2. In this passage, Paul goes through a difficult season of life. What kept him from giving up?
  3. What was waiting for him at the end of the season?
  4. What does Paul need during the bad season to help get through it.

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