Holidays: Unhappy?

Hello ladies! I hope you've all had a great start to your week. As we all know, the holidays are fast approaching and when I say fast I mean lightning speed. It seems after Halloween, everything speeds up 3x. Everyone is rushing around gathering ingredients to cook the perfect Thanksgiving dinner, stringing colored lights, trimming trees, and searching for the best presents.

But in the midst off all of this craziness, there can be a deep rooted sadness; a melancholy that lingers and seeps into Christmas parties, candlelight services, and even your cocoa. Christmas is known as the most wonderful time of the year but for many people, it's a very sad time. Personally, it becomes very difficult for me during the holidays because i'm currently single. We've all seen the romantic Hallmark movies that we all say are cheesy while we secretly wish we could be the girl under the mistletoe. I always picture myself cozied up with someone tall and handsome by the fire watching Christmas classics but it never seems to happen. But beyond that, there are so many other reasons one can be disheartened over the holiday season; loss of a loved one, family that's far away, general dislike of the Christmas rush, lack of hope. Whatever the reason, the holidays can prove tedious at best.

BUT....behind the sadness, you can find that hope. That hope that brings love and joy. And, that hope only exists in one person: Jesus Christ; the Son of God, sent to be born of a virgin in the lowliest of places; to live and die a gruesome death so that we could be saved and have the hope of eternal life and salvation. I believe that miracles are real and I especially believe that during the holidays, miracles thrive. I like to believe that Christmas can bring out the best in people and beyond that, it is about the ultimate miracle. So, this holiday season, whether you are happy or sad, grieving or celebrating, remember that beyond all of those things, there is a Savior that brings hope and love and joy every single day of this season and the year. He is our LIGHT. And one day, He will dry every tear and mend every broken heart. He is our reason. Let's remember to welcome Him this season and accept the light that only He can bring.

- Mariah xoxo