We often have an idealized and romanticized picture of the days leading up to the first Christmas.

We see Christmas cards and nativity scenes, and assume those days were stress-free. But that’s far from how the people involved in the first Christmas actually felt.

In fact, the very first Christmas didn’t start out as a merry time. The news that Jesus was coming stressed everyone out in the following ways:

- Mary was worried and confused. An angel had told her that she would give birth to the Son of God. She didn’t know what would happen to her engagement. Her future seemed bleak.

- Joseph was hurt and brokenhearted. His fiancée had told him that she was pregnant. He felt hurt and cheated on.

- The shepherds were afraid. They saw a bright light and watched angels appear out of nowhere.

- The wise men were exhausted. They traveled a long way to get to Jesus. They were ready for rest.

Pastor, you may find yourself in similar shoes this Christmas. 

Christmas is one of the most important seasons of your church year. It can be full of busyness, stress, unrealized expectations, grief, and increased ministry needs in your church family.

Keeping all of that in mind, what does this Christmas story have to say to you?

The Bible encourages us to, “Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” (Joel 2:13 NIV).

Everyone involved in the very first Christmas has one thing in common: They turned to God. And God responded to their unique pain.

No matter what you’re going through, God loves you. When you turn to him, he won’t turn away.