WEIGHED DOWN AT CHRISTMAS

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

Weighed Down at Christmas

Read:  Luke 4:14-21

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,…to set at liberty

those who are oppressed.   Luke 4:18

During a December visit to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, I paused to admire the magnificent Christmas tree.  It was covered with angels and surrounded at its base by an elaborate eighteenth-century nativity scene.  Nearly two hundred figures, including shepherds, the Magi, and a crowd of townspeople, looked in anticipation toward the manger or gazed up in awe at the angels.

But one figure appeared different from the rest-a barefoot man, who carried a heavy load on his back and looked at the ground.  It struck me that this man, like so many people today, was so weigh down that he couldn’t see the Messiah.

Christmas can be a difficult time for those who carry the burden of hard work, stressful family situations, and personal loss.  But we should remember that Christ came into our world to life up all those who are bowed down.  Jesus use the words of Isaiah to announce His God-given mission on earth:  “To preach the gospel to the poor;…to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty this who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). DCM

Help us, Lord, to give our burdens

To Your tender, loving care;

Grant us faith to trust You fully,

Knowing that each one You bear. -DJD

To find true joy at Christmas, look to Jesus.