When Christmas Doesn’t Feel Merry - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - December 18, 2025
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted.” Isaiah 61:1
I should’ve known my Hallmark vision wouldn’t come to fruition, not when my little memory-making mind dared believe a two-year-old boy and a set of paints wouldn’t ensue complete chaos. Nonetheless, in the name of creating a beautiful Christmas childhood for my son, I purchased the paint-your-own-nutcracker set with high, high hopes. How sweet it would be to watch him decorate this little figurine. How much sweeter it would be to treasure it when he’s far too grown to sit in a high chair and splash paint on miniature nutcrackers.
But friends, this nutcracker wasn’t painted by my son, at least not but for a few splotches on its top hat. Rather, I painted a few sleeves to coax my toddler’s creativity, only for him to be inspired to paint the table, himself, and everything but this nutcracker. I emptied a pack of baby wipes, cleaning up the chaos, and he ended up in a bubble bath, much more content to splash water than paint a Christmas craft.
Isn’t this how so much of our Christmas season goes? We doll our babies up only for Christmas photos to end in tears. We show up to Christmas dinner with an open heart when family members have hurt us, only to discover their toxic behaviors haven’t changed. We have high hopes for a memorable holiday vacation, but a busted tire or leaky sink takes precedence over financial concerns.
Christmas, in human hands, is as messy as any other season. The sparkling lights and gifts can only distract us from the hurt for so long. Then, when the 26th rolls around and we’re boxing up decorations, the pain feels insurmountably heavy. Thus, we pine after the New Year, another celebration meant to numb our heartache as we pretend our resolutions will not only be fulfilled but somehow fix everyone and everything in our lives.
We can play this holiday game year after year, but showing up to a messy season with expectations rooted in anything outside God’s grace, hope, and love will only leave us exhausted, thinking to ourselves, “That was it?”
If the holidays feel extra messy to you, whether in the throes of scheduled chaos or relationship letdowns, it’s important to remember a truth that might seem hypocritical at first glance: it was supposed to be this way, but it actually wasn’t.
Before sin, we were supposed to live in bliss, in perfect peace, our lives filled with constant tidings of comfort and joy. Life was supposed to be continuous, holy and jolly. So on days when I question God’s goodness because of the chaos around me, I must remind myself of a powerful truth a dear friend shared with me: our world is not God’s world.
This was not His blueprint, His design, or His wish. When I want to challenge why He doesn’t snap His fingers and fix the heartache in this place, I ask myself how often God has granted me the opportunity to play a part in fixing this broken world, especially in the holidays. Then I’m forced to see that God’s instrument in repairing this world was first Jesus, who eternally redeemed this broken world, and then me and you, His hands and feet.
In a broken world where we don’t always choose to implement God’s goodness and love, the earth is quite truly meant to be messy. It has no other choice but to be chaotic and filled with failed expectations and unwanted troubles.
Friends, your Christmas will be messy, in some shape or fashion. And I’m so sorry for that. The power held within that first Christmas night is the very truth that a God outside this broken world entered it, all for a love we don’t deserve. On days when this season has you frustrated, hurt, or feeling insane, I pray you remember that, even if in bits and pieces, we have access to that first silent night, the joy brought to the world, and our Emmanuel, who came to ransom our captive hearts.
Let’s pray:
Father, in a broken world, may we recognize the spaces we can share the story of your healing and redemption. May we remind ourselves of the impossibility of perfection in this holiday season, but rest in your perfect peace. May the Christmas hymns be a healing balm to our hearts and your Word that steadies our cold, anxious hearts. We love you, Lord. Thank you for the gifts of mercy and grace. Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Jessica Peterson
Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3
In this episode of The Bible Explained, Jen walks through Ezra chapter 3 and explores the Israelites’ return from exile as they begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. She highlights how the people, though fearful and greatly outnumbered, chose unity, obedience, and worship by first rebuilding the altar and restoring sacrifices to God. The episode focuses on the emotional moment when the temple foundation is laid—some rejoice with gratitude while others weep, remembering the former temple’s glory. Through passages in Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, Jen emphasizes God’s encouragement not to “despise small beginnings,” reminding listeners that God often works through humble starts, difficult seasons, and imperfect circumstances. The episode closes with a practical encouragement: when God calls people to a purpose, opposition and discouragement will come, but faithful perseverance and trust in God’s presence are what carry the work forward. If this podcast helped you understand the Bible in a clearer way, be sure to follow The Bible Explained on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
