Verse of the Day for December 25

On Christmas Day it is worth remembering that the first Christmas included labour pains. Jesus himself uses the picture. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come.

He does not soften it. The anguish is real. But as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. The pain is not denied. It is swallowed up.

Mary knew that on the night in Bethlehem. And the disciples were about to know it another way, through the sorrow of the cross and the joy of seeing him again.

Then comes the phrase for an open hand. your joy no man taketh from you. Most of what we enjoy today could be taken. The food will be eaten, the gifts will wear out, the visitors will go home. We grip them tightly because we know that.

This joy is different. No one can take it, so you do not have to clutch it. Hold your Christmas loosely. Share the rice, give away the extra, sit with the relative who is grieving. The joy that came with the child is not going anywhere.

The first Christmas had labour pains, and joy came anyway.

You do not have to grip what no one can take.