For many, Christmas time is a reminder of what they don’t have and thus a sad time. Perhaps, it is like that for you. While most others seem to be eagerly awaiting the arrival of the day, you are eager to get it over with. You don’t want any more reminders…

That was true of the young moms and dads that lived in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Herod ordered all male babies under the age of 2 to be mercilessly killed. It was a terrible time for these young parents. Christmas time represented loss and piercing pain for them. Every year, they must’ve mourned the death of their son(s)…

Why would God allow these innocent babies to be killed? Why would He allow this kind of pain to the parents of these babies? They didn’t even know that Jesus was being born in that city. It seems that they got punished for being born in the same city as the Messiah. Shouldn’t it have been the other way around? Shouldn’t we expect blessings when anyone is so close in proximity to the Messiah?

There are many things we won’t understand. But we can understand this: That this baby Jesus would also grow up to know loss and death. He did not come to earth to be prosperous and successful. But rather to suffer and die. He escaped death as an infant only to face it full force as an adult. And we too easily forget how horrific it was for Him…

Christmas exists for Good Friday. Jesus was born to die. But He didn’t remain dead. He came back to life! And He gives life to all who would put their trust in Him. Even to those who are suffering immense loss and pain..

“Glory to God in the highest and peace among men!” (Luke 2:13)

PH