Let us consider what that first Christmas was really like. Mary and Joseph knew the pain of
rejection. There was no room in the inn. The Son of God was not born into a royal palace but into
poverty and isolation. The real Christmas is very far from the snowy depictions on Christmas cards.
Perhaps we need to paint our own picture of Christmas. What does Christmas really look like for
you? Why not try to draw it on paper or in your head? The Bible reading describes what the birth of
Jesus was actually like.
Christians believe that Jesus brought light into a world of darkness. The darkness wasn’t removed;
however, it’s just that the light is stronger and more powerful. And if we find ourselves sitting in the
darkness at the moment, that is okay. Jesus came to bring warmth and light to that darkness, to our
darkness, whatever our darkness feels like. He inhabits that space with us now. So we can turn to
Him in confidence. We are not alone. Whoever follows him will never walk in darkness, but will
have the light of life.