Christmas Gatherings

Prepare your heart for the holidays in this devotion with Heather Hart.

Bible Verse for Today

“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

Matthew 14:14

Devotion for Today

Christmas Gatherings

Jesus had just learned that His cousin had been killed and He wanted to be alone. He got into a boat and crossed the lake to a desolate place, but a large crowd followed Him on foot. It wasn’t to be.

Sure, He could have gone back out on the water. He could have left them all behind. But He looked at them and loved them. He had compassion on them. He was willing to give up His comfort and desires for theirs.

I’ll be honest, I could learn a thing or two from Jesus and the example He set that day. You see, I am an introvert. Large crowds aren’t exactly my thing. All too often I would prefer to just go home or spend time with a select group of people… to withdraw from the crowd.

Yet, at Christmas time, there are so many gatherings that people want us to attend. Work parties and church parties. Get-togethers with friends. And a lot of the time I simply don’t want to go. Jesus at least had a good reason; He was mourning the loss of a loved one. I just don’t like small talk.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy my friends, I do. I love people, I just don’t like awkward silences and forced conversations. It’s just hard for me to reach out and make those relationships happen. Thus, you can often find me sitting quietly by myself, wishing I was anywhere else.

But I know that even when I fail at following the example Jesus set, His love for me remains unchanged. And the same is true for you this Christmas. No matter what your feelings are about your upcoming Christmas gatherings, or the Christmas gatherings you have already been to. Whether they leave you feeling like a Rockstar or a failure, know that Jesus’ love for you remains unchanged.

He won’t hang His head in shame when we fail to be the life of the party, or if we talk too much. He won’t shake His head and say, “Seriously?! Again??” No, He will hold His arms open wide and welcome us with His amazing grace.

Jesus won’t hang His head in shame when we fail to be the life of the party, or if we talk too much. He will hold His arms open wide and welcome us with His amazing grace. Share on X