Scripture: Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because no guest room was available for them. But the first Christmas was also filled with doubt, relational conflict, danger, and grief — all under the sovereign watch of Father God. Yet these conditions make Jesus' arrival so hopeful and relatable. The blessing of the first Christmas wasn't in perfect circumstances — it was in God's kingdom! I would have expected everything to be nice and neat, and you would have too, this was Jesus! The Son of God being born into the world. I expected trumpets to be echoing loud angels flying all around and sweet music while Jesus was ushered into the world. But instead... He came into a messy situation, but this was intentional because if he had come the way I expected or imagined, we would have missed God's presence in our messy situations. Christmas includes stress and conflict for everybody. It can feel heavy as you process pain and loss. The pain of not being with family. The Loss of a loved one. Children are not able to come home for Christmas because they are deployed. Not having enough money to get the things you wanted or to give the type of gifts you wanted. Disappointed because you are alone for Christmas because family is far or left in another country. The List goes on and on... we are dealing with real messy situations, but the great thing here is that Jesus is not a stranger to this becuase for this cause he came into the world, yet when he came, he came into a mess. His coming wasn't perfection it was chaotic but nontheless he came. This shhould give us the confidence to know that even when Christmas get messy and become overwheling for us, we can lean on Jesus and take refuge and find hope in him. He came to bring us peace and joy, the bible says it was peace on earht and joy, he came in a mess yet there was peace and joy on earth because he came , he is our hope this Christmas. I encourage us to return our focus and our gaze on Jesus who came to be with us and to bring us hope, joy, and peace, glad tidings all around because he is our hope. Christmas should always remind us that Jesus is in our mess with us and give us hope for a future that is brighter and better, he is the light of the world and he is with us, Emanuel God with us. You are not alone, your mess is not new to Jesus, he is in it with you and he is never going to leave you not forsake you. Shake off the pain and enjoy your Christmas because after all it is about Jesus's birth, though messy brought us hope and eternal life. Please share this episode with someone else and be blessed. Please see the links below to support us financially. God bless you. Life’s Happening Devotional Book is Availble for Purchase at Amazon: https://a.co/d/4VWvg9Z Get your Life's Happening Podcast Swag Clothing at https://gi-apparels.printify.me/products Please email us at lifeshappeningdevotional@gmail.com. Please visit our website to purchase your Copy of our 30-Day Devotional Book: https://lifeshappeningdevotional.com/books/ Check out our YouTube Podcast Channel and Subscribe and share it with others: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qn_Yy0bxWHRrEdWCzQqlw This Christmas, It's important to not simply "act happy" while suppressing your emotions. Getting honest about your experience with someone you trust and can open up to will help you open your heart to seek Jesus' healing, care, and comfort. This helps you shift your perspective off of yourself and focus on his presence and goodness in everything — even the hardships of the holidays and life. Remember that God is working all things for your good. Jesus was born in chaos, in imperfection. We cannot expect that because we are believers that life will be perfect, or that Christmas won't be a mess. But there's hope in our Christmas Mess ... why? because Jesus, Emanuel has come and he's God with us.