even when things aren’t merry and bright

I meant to write this post before Christmas, but it didn’t happen, so Merry Christmas a day late… I hope it your Christmas was magical, full of worship of our Savior and fellowship with friends and family (and good food! and fabulous presents!).

In the same breath as that wish, if your Christmas was not as twinkle-y or perfect as you’d imagined, know that you’re in good company. Honestly, 2013 has not been the easiest year for our little family. While it wasn’t a year of poignant heart ache (like a few of our recent ones), it was definitely a year of uphill battles, marked by a constantly frantic schedule (we seriously need to pare things down), by parenting failures, by lo-ong hours (for both Adam and I) and the toll that takes on a family, and by the loneliness that creeps in when you let your life be overtaken by tasks and lists.

However, in the middle of eagerly anticipating the end of this less-than-merry December (and the eleven months before that), I was struck with the realization that THIS is the ‘reason for the season.’ Jesus didn’t come as a compliment to quaint or pretty or neat, He came to enter in to the messy brokenness that is human nature and to offer hope in the midst of it. He came to offer life and mercy because we are in need of a Savior. And all of God’s promises find their yes in Him.

Thanks goodness.

Hopefully this Truth complimented a tree full of twinkle lights and a year with less chaos and mess for you. But if not, rejoice with me in the reassurance that “Unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Merry Christmas, friends (with a few iPhone pics of the craziness of last week because it feels funny to publish a post with no pictures)!