It’s December, a month which is often cheerfully referred to as “the most wonderful time of the year.” Yet, it can be one of the busiest, when we struggle to be still and actually enjoy the reason we’re celebrating. For many, it can be one of the hardest seasons, when loss and disappointment weigh heavy, like unwanted burdens we carry with us wherever we go.

We can rightly mourn with each other what is hard in this season. However, we can also find unexpected places to give thanks. Mourning and rejoicing can walk side by side and not be in opposition to one another. I was encouraged by TGC editor Megan Hill’s reminder of the joy we experience when we choose to rejoice with those who rejoice. In her article “Give Thanks for What Others Have That You Don’t” she points us to the truth of our union with Christ, “When God unites us to Christ, he unites us to everyone else who also belongs to Christ and we join an interconnected body. As such, the joy of an individual member becomes the joy of every member.” Look around and ask God to show you the joys of those around you—and join them in their joy.

Ultimately, it’s because of Christ that we have many reasons to rejoice: his humble birth, his perfect life, his sacrificial death, his glorious resurrection—these were all part of God’s divine rescue plan to give us new life. Because Jesus dwelt with us, we can dwell with him. We can rejoice with David, “You make known to me the path of life and in your presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11)

May his joy be in you and may it overflow to others.

Merry Christmas!
Melissa