Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean your heart don't hurt Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean there's peace on earth "Joy to all the world" can be the hardest time of year

Anne Wilson

Just Because It's Christmas

But see the star even here

Bring your wounded heart to the manger

Fall down at the feet of the King

When thrills of hope don't find you, He loves you just the same. You don't have to be ok just because it's Christmas

Anne Wilson

Just Because It's Christmas

There's more that rises in the morning than the sun.

More that shines in the night than just the moon.

It's more than just this fire here that keeps me warm

in a shelter that is larger than this room

Rich Mullins

If I Stand

There's a loyalty that's deeper than mere sentiments.

And a music higher than the songs that I can sing.

The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance I owe

only to the Giver of all good things

Rich Mullins

If I Stand

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

Luke 1:35

THE ANGEL’S WORDS

DIDN’T CHANGE HER CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY INVITED HER INTO A STORY

THAT WAS BIG ENOUGH FOR HER CIRCUMSTANCES TO MAKE SENSE

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:20-21

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12

Maybe The reason We’re overwhelmed by the circumstances

we face is because all we can see is the circumstances.

The Christmas Story isn't

the ANSWER to my pain,

it’s is an INVITATION into a

bigger story that has room

to give PURPOSE to my pain!

So if I stand,

let me stand on the promise that You will pull me through.

And if I can't,

let me fall on the grace that first brought me to You.

And if I sing,

let me sing for the joy that has borne in me these songs.

And if I weep,

let it be as a man who is longing for his home

Rich Mullins

If I Stand