Can I make a confession to you? You’ll keep it a secret, right? 😉
My cup feels a little empty right now. My Christmas cup, I mean. Normally, the coziness and Christmas spirit seem to overflow and spill out. This year? Mot so much. Maybe you feel that way, too?
To be honest, there’s always pressure during Christmas, isn’t there? We have the best intentions and all the hope in the world for a beautiful and cozy Christmas. But maybe there’s a tiny bit of dread there too? The pressure to pull of a perfect Christmas is high! The worry that there won’t be enough presents under the tree or that they won’t be that special one your child waited for all year long for. Or there might be stress that you spent too much money and the credit card bill in the mail looms on your mind.
It still boggles my mind that a time that should be joyous can be a draining and dreaded one. But it just is sometimes! It’s tiring. The kids act up. There are so many things to get done and not enough time. Really, it’s not entirely crazy to think that our cups are feeling a little empty right now.
So, if your cup needs to be filled today, I hope this will encourage you. Your cup can be full of cozy Christmas vibes because we can focus on Jesus and what He brings:
Joy
The Christmas story is one of joy! When we turn our focus to Jesus, we choose to turn our eyes away from all the busyness and all the pressure. When we feel tired and weak, we know that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). One way to fill your cup of joy this season is simply to choose. Make the decision when you wake up (or make the decision several times a day!) to live with joy. Take some time this season to get into the Word of God and read the Christmas story (Luke 2) and reflect on Jesus. What makes you joyful during the holidays? Make a list of those things and focus on them.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” Matthew 2:10
Love
At the heart of Christmas is love. Love is the driving force that put Christmas in motion. God sent His Son because he loved us. We may not always feel loved, even by those around us, but we are loved so much by God. Drink deeply from this truth! Not just a sip is needed. We need a big gulp from the love of God. Focus on one scripture on God’s love for you this season. Read it again and again and let that truth fill up your cup.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son.” John 3:16
Belief
Christmas is beautiful in that it’s a celebration of all that we believe to be true. There are nativity scenes on every yard. Bible verses on Christmas cards. People seem to be more receptive to the truth of the gospel. I marvel at it every year. What we hold in our hearts, that Jesus is the Savior, is all around us sprinkled in lights and baked in Christmas cookies. Take a look around today. The miracle of Christmas is true!
“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of god, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31
Comfort
This year has been a difficult one and there are so many who need comfort. The holidays can be a very hard time when there has been loss. A great truth of Christmas is that though Jesus came as a baby, He is our Comforter too. We know He grew to be rejected and crucified and that He knows our pain and suffering. He weeps at death and loss and He understands. Let His love comfort you like a big cozy blanket. Wrap yourself up in the promise that He comforts us in our afflictions.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
At our church, we sing a song called, “Fill My Cup, Lord.” We lift our hands to the Lord and ask Him to fill our cups with the things that truly quench our souls. This Christmas, may that be your prayer.
“Fill my cup, Lord
I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of Heave, feed me ’til I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
There are millions in this world
Who are craving
The pleasures, earthly things of gold
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord…”
I hope this Christmas you drink deeply from the cup that Jesus brings and find that your cup is filled!