Bright lights illuminating the streets; jolly music playing on every radio station; green foliage everywhere you turn; a Christmas movie for every day of the month; party after party after party.

The Christmas season can be a busy, exciting time. But, I’m not naïve to acknowledge the reality that everyone around me does not emanate the joy-filled spirit that traditional holiday festivities appear to bring. As joyful as the holidays are portrayed in the media and across living rooms and store fronts, Christmas doesn’t fix broken families; it doesn’t heal sicknesses; it doesn’t forgive debt.

While I look forward to decorating my home for Christmas each year, all of the cookies I get to bake and jamming out to Pentatonix’s Christmas albums, I understand that these wonderful things are not the source of my joy.

Does Christmas make me happy? Absolutely!

But the source of my joy is not rooted in whether I participate in Christmas traditions.

No, the source of my joy is found in the fact that God sent His son to be born as a man, to dwell amongst us, to pitch His tent on Earth. (Refer to John 1).

No, I am not about to remind you that “Jesus is the reason for the season”. He’s so much more than that. He’s the reason you are even alive and breathing today. He has given us the ability to be able to even experience happiness in celebrations. He is the reason we can have joy in the midst of every season.

You see, joy is not based on what kind of season you are in. You might be really smart and think to yourself that happiness is a temporary, circumstantial emotion and joy is what really lasts throughout any circumstance we face. Yes, this is true. But, I want to say that doesn’t mean you smile through the hard times and just “get through it” until your circumstances are good again. Joy is being expectant that even through the hard times, that the Lord is wish us; He is our Emmanuel, which means: “God with us”.

I think that promise is so easy to forget. We can know in our head that God says He is wish us, but when times get hard, circumstances our out of our control and we can’t enjoy the Holiday cheer because the pain runs too deep, we often feel like maybe God has forgotten about us. Even all of the Christmas parties with friends, family and co-workers can leave us feeling empty and alone.

Here’s the truth: there are no dazzling lights bright enough to take away the overwhelming darkness, there is not jolly music loud enough to drown out the lies of the Enemy, there are no Christmas cookies sweet enough to replace your bitterness and there aren’t enough presents under the tree to be given to you can satisfy your needs or desires.

You want true joy? Let me tell you Christmas the way I think God might see it.

He paints quite the light show every night for us, just look up, not around. It was a star that led the Shepherds and wise-men to Jesus in a stable’s manger, foreshadowing that He truly is the Light of the world. It is the light that radiates from Christ that leads us to complete joy in knowing Him in relationship. The Shepherds and wise-men saw Him. Do you see His light breaking through your darkness? Where His light shines, there is no darkness.

In Luke 2, the familiar Christmas story, the angels told the shepherds that they brought good news. Santa’s coming? No, the Savior of the World has come. Don’t believe the lies of the Enemy. Jesus is the Word, the Truth, the Life. Take every thought about your situation, your family, yourself and examine it in light of God’s Word.

Christ wants to replace your bitterness towards your situation or another person, with His lovingkindness, His forgiveness. We can forgive because He has given us grace in Himself. We can find satisfaction is His presence, not presents. Don’t compare how many gifts you receive or give.

The greatest gift has already been given to us: Jesus Christ. We are able to give that great gift to others. Maybe that looks like honest, raw conversations with a family member to reconcile a broken relationship. Maybe it looks like a humbling moments when you realize you can’t produce joy in yourself, but actually have to rely on the joy of the Lord as your strength.

I know the Holidays are hard. But there is hope. There is joy, in Christ alone.

“Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy”- Psalm 107:22