Blue Christmas, 'the Gap', and True Joy

Of all calendar times, Christmas highlights most the contrast between the concept of joy and peace in Christmas and the realities most people live. People may occasionally despise the disparity, but Christmas is nobody's enemy. People, deeper down, may realise it's not Christmas' fault, but the gap between fantasy and reality is never starker than at Christmas.

There is also more angst in families at Christmas time. As people juggle the dissonance between the image of Christmas, and how the media tells us we should feel about it (which subconsciously raises our ire), and the many and varied ways that loneliness, loss, and disappointment play out in our lives, dissension rises in the tones of stress, especially when we're busier than we'd like to be. Outbursts ought to be more forgivable at Christmas. But, sadly, the most often polarise us, because of our own sensitivities.

There's nothing wrong with the ideals of Christmas, the halcyon of which is "God with us," in Jesus, the Saviour of the world, coming to earth. Everything about Christmas piques the imagination toward the prosperity of God giving Himself to us. Safety, goodwill, and hope all embody what we know Christmas to be, because Jesus came. God, in flesh, with His Spirit.

It's reasonable to feel blue at Christmas. There's a gap between reality and the image of Christmas. That gap is small in many of our lives, for we have much to be thankful for. But there are times in all our lives when the gap is cavernous. For some, it's an event that makes times like these never the same as they once were. And, though we still have much to be thankful for, the gap speaks an irrepressible voice.

But there is hope, even within the cavernous gap. That hope is true joy, as if we thought we knew it beforehand, without truly knowing it. True joy is first experienced after having known pain; the voice in a baritone tenor.

Joy is a journey where depths plunged create a larger vocal range, where the voice can speak of experiences previously untold.

A blue Christmas is a sign that we're on the journey to a truer joy. God has revealed a deeper experience of life that will not only make us fit for feeling pain, but will fit us for a deeper, more abiding joy.
The experience of joy is improved through enduring pain, so don't lose hope, because true joy is a deep reality.

Steve Wickham holds Degrees in Science, Divinity, and Counselling. Steve writes at: http://epitemnein-epitomic.blogspot.com.au/ and http://tribework.blogspot.com.au/
 
 
 
 
 

Post a Comment

Informations From: Taun17

Previous Post Next Post
  • Tips to keep your child healthy

    Keeping children healthy has always been one of the biggest challenges for so many parents. Children can not explain their physical issues in a proper manner and this can easily be considered as the key reason why the parents must stay aware of the health of children. Trustworthy tricks to keep... Readmore

  • Why Buy an Herb Grinder?

    Herb Grinder is one of the most essential equipment in today’s kitchens. Different herb grinders have different qualities. It is important to learn about the true reasons of buying the herb grinder. It is once in a while a burden, and, and cerebral pain, to separate mass measures of herbs b... Readmore

  • Cyberocracy: Information As Power

    Cyberocracy: Information As Power - Cyberocracy Rulership Is Coming? Ruling with Information! According to futurology - the way that we are headed IS Cyberocracy. The effective use of information to essentially rule as 'Alternative Responsible Government'. A speculative system as up until now ther... Readmore

  • Democracy Built Over 1000 Years. A Rogue Parliament, Corruption, Foreign Influence Destroyed This

    Right has been hijacked... by whom? When I woke this morning a spectacular image caught my eye, It wasn't a beautiful radiant sunrise, nor horses frolicking in the meadow. It was something far more poignant a prelude to a period of political calm, one hopes. No, the vision that I saw was of Philip... Readmore

  • The Indian National Anthem Was Really a Paen to King George

    The National Anthem of written by " Guruji" Ravindranath Tagore was, in reality, a Paen to the King of England. Later Tagore changed his tune after 25 years and claimed it was for n The Indian National Anthem " Jana Gana Mana"  is sung everyday. I am afraid very few know that this anthem has ... Readmore

  • Join Noble Centered Leaders Working for Compassion Peace and the Good of All Humanity

    We're facing an international crisis of epic proportions. Conflict, racism, hate, war, and disaster are displacing more people whether refugee or citizen than at any time in human history. The FISH Foundation Global Nation believes that this is an issue that demands action NOW (No Opportunity Wasted... Readmore

  • Champ Turns Chump With Trump

    The land of opportunity had a sterling reputation for giving people a way to rise above their means. That is why they could afford to gamble on Donald Trump, who sold them a bill of goods that had no substance and which incredibly holds them two years into his presidency.. America made history by ... Readmore

  • New Book Offers Practical Inspiration From Successful US Immigrant

    Dr. Cynthia Barnett's life has been a series of decisions never to give up. When obstacles have arisen, she has always found innovative ways to pursue her dreams. Even when retirement came, she put a new twist on it by changing the word to refirement and finding new ways to be fulfilled. Now, in I'm... Readmore

  • New Book Reveals Choice We All Have to Become Our Dreams

    Early in Becoming Your Dream, Joan McManus offers up her book's primary point: "You have right now the mental skills to learn to synchronize your dominant mental attitude with the higher frequencies of the ideal person you dream of becoming. By using that gift of choice that is already yours, you wi... Readmore

  • Nintendo Switch First Look - Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order

    It's been a while since I played a multiplayer co-operation game. That was in the year 2000, playing a Fighting Force game on PlayStation One. Well, unfortunately this article is not about PlayStation One games. Instead we're going to take a look at the upcoming game on Nintendo Switch; the Marvel... Readmore