Joy in suffering? At first, it sounds as out of place as a snowstorm in July. But Paul shows us that even in hardship, joy is possible because suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.
The Christmas story isn’t free from struggle. Mary and Joseph faced rejection and uncertainty, yet their journey brought them to the joy of Jesus. Advent reminds us that joy isn’t found in perfect circumstances—it’s found in knowing Jesus is with us, even in life’s messiest moments. And it’s even better when we have a church family that’s willing to meet us in that very same messiness of life.
Reflection: How can you lean into joy, even when life feels hard this season?
Application: Look for glimpses of Christ’s presence in your challenges. Joy isn’t the absence of struggle; it’s the presence of hope in the midst of struggle.
The angel’s announcement to the shepherds wasn’t just good news—it was great joy for all people! Imagine being one of those shepherds, sitting in the dark fields when the sky explodes with light and music. That kind of joy isn’t quiet; it’s the kind that makes you jump up, shout, and run to Bethlehem.
Christmas is a reminder that the good news of Jesus is for everyone: the busy parent, the lonely neighbor, the overworked employee, and the wide-eyed child. It’s the kind of joy that transforms ordinary nights into holy moments.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news this season?
Application: Share the good news of Jesus with someone, whether it’s through words, actions, or a simple invitation to church.
My mind works in some pretty weird ways – I’ll admit that one. Like this for example. Picture getting to heaven and standing at those proverbial pearly gates. But instead of the smiling face of Jesus or the skeptical face of Thomas, you are greeted by the stern face of a 350lb man with an angry face. He’s dressed in all black with the words Bouncer across the chest.
Now that would be a sight wouldn’t it! A bouncer at the gates of heaven! I really don’t think anyone wants a heaven guarded by a bouncer. So why do so many churches act like cultural bouncers rather than heavenly ushers?
When Jesus told us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), He didn’t add a bunch of fine print. He didn’t say, “Love your neighbor, but only if they think like you, vote like you, or live like you.” And when He commanded us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), He didn’t mean we should grudgingly mutter a prayer for people we dislike just so we can check a spiritual box. No, Jesus’ words cut deeper. They challenge us to the core.
So, here’s the truth: Heaven needs more ushers—people willing to open doors, extend invitations, welcome strangers, and walk people into the grace of God—and way fewer bouncers, those who slam doors shut based on who they think belongs inside.
Bouncers Block the Kingdom
A bouncer’s job at a club or event is pretty clear: keep the “wrong people” out. If you don’t look right, act right, or meet the standards, the bouncer has no problem saying, “Move along.” Unfortunately, far too often, Christians fall into this bouncer mindset. We size people up. We create criteria for who’s worthy of love, grace, and even a seat at church. We make it harder to experience the grace of Jesus than we do get into a presidential banquet. You have to dress a certain way, memorize specific content from the Bible or other confessional book, do church the same way everyone else it, etc.
But let’s remember Jesus’ words to the religious leaders of His day—leaders who turned faith into an exclusive club. He told them in Matthew 23:13: “Woe to you… You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.” Ouch. That’s what happens when we act like bouncers.
When we treat the church like a VIP lounge for the already-cleaned-up, we block the very people Jesus came to save. The broken, the messy, the outcasts—these are the people He welcomed. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick,” Jesus said (Luke 5:31).
Ask yourself this: Are you standing at the door of your life, sizing people up? Are you deciding who deserves your kindness, your forgiveness, or even a prayer? If so, it’s time to put down the clipboard and hand out an invitation instead. Are you trying to purify people of their moral choices before letting them get to know the Jesus who died for them? Are you making them believe before they’re allowed to belong?
Ushers Open Doors
An usher’s job is the exact opposite. They welcome people in. They smile, extend a hand, and show others where to sit. Ushers remove obstacles so people can get where they need to go. In the church, they don’t just open physical doors—they open spiritual ones. They say, “Come as you are. You belong here. There’s a place for you at the table.”
And isn’t that just what Jesus did?
When He met the woman at the well in John 4, she came with baggage—relational failures, shame, isolation. Jesus didn’t play the bouncer. He didn’t say, “You’re not good enough to talk to me.” No, He treated her with dignity, spoke truth with love, and offered her living water. He opened the door to a new life.
When Zacchaeus climbed that sycamore tree (Luke 19), the crowds had already labeled him an outcast. Yet Jesus didn’t push the little guy aside. Instead, He said, “I must stay at your house today.” Jesus opened a door, and Zacchaeus’ life was changed forever.
This is what ushers do—they extend grace, they make space, and they trust God to do the necessary work in people’s lives.
Loving Our Neighbor AND Our Enemy
Here’s where it gets hard, though. Loving your neighbor as yourself is challenging enough, but Jesus didn’t stop there. He also said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). And let’s be honest: that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Enemies? The coworker who undermines you. The family member who betrayed you. The person whose views offend you. The follower of Jesus who worships different than you or sings different songs than you. In our bouncer persona, we want to shut the door on them. We want to keep them out of our hearts, out of our lives, and maybe even out of our church. But Jesus totally flips the script.
Loving your enemy doesn’t mean agreeing with them. It doesn’t mean letting them walk all over you. But it does mean praying for them, showing kindness, and leaving room for God’s grace to do its work. Romans 12:20 says, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” Why? Because love softens hearts. Love opens doors.
The Church, Simply Put, Needs More Ushers
The world already has enough bouncers—people quick to judge, exclude, and reject. What it needs are ushers, people who take seriously the call to love others the way Jesus loves us.
Think about it: Did Jesus act like a bouncer when He saved you? Did He stand at the door and say, “Come back when you’re perfect?” No. He opened His arms wide. He welcomed you in. He let you belong before you fully believed.
And now, He’s asking you to do the same for others.
So, let’s put down our pride. Let’s drop the “bouncer mentality” that says, “You’re not good enough.” Instead, let’s become ushers in God’s Kingdom—people who live with open hearts, open hands, and open doors.
Who can you love this week? Who can you forgive? Who needs a seat at the table?
Because love doesn’t shut people out. Love invites them in.
If Isaiah were alive today, he might’ve written a Christmas carol about God’s salvation. His words burst with joy: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.” It’s the kind of joy that makes you want to sing at the top of your lungs—even if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket!
Christmas is a celebration of salvation. Jesus came to rescue us, not just from sin but also from fear, loneliness, and despair. His salvation is like unwrapping the biggest, most unexpected gift under the tree—nope not the Red Rider BB Gun. I’m talking about joy – pure joy!
This Advent, rejoice in the gift of salvation. Let it lift your spirits and inspire your song.
Reflection: What has God saved you from, and how does that bring you joy today?
Application: Sing! Whether it’s a carol or a simple prayer of thanks, let your joy overflow in praise.
Have you ever tried to measure the love in that perfect Christmas gift? A handmade scarf shows thoughtfulness. A heartfelt card brings tears. But God’s love? That one is immeasurable.
Paul prays that we’d grasp the width, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love—a love so vast it can’t fit under the tree. It’s a love that crosses the galaxies to meet you in your living room, a love that fills every empty corner of your heart.
This Advent, let Christ’s love fill you to overflowing. It’s not just a gift to receive but one to share generously with others.
Reflection: Where do you see God’s love at work in your life this Advent season?
Application: Love big! Go out of your way to show someone they’re deeply loved by God—and by you.
God’s love is bigger than your longest Christmas shopping list! The psalmist says, “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” It’s a love that never fails, even when we do.
Think about the people you love most—family, friends, maybe even that crazy uncle who tells the same stories every Christmas. Now multiply that love by infinity, and you’ve got a glimpse of God’s affection for you. Ok so you don’t even have a glimpse because we can’t even fathom a love that big!
This Advent, bask in the unfailing love of God. It’s a love that doesn’t fade with the season but sticks around all year long.
Reflection: How can you let God’s love shape your relationships this Christmas?
Application: Let love lead! Choose forgiveness, patience, and kindness, reflecting the limitless love of God.
Immanuel. It means “God with us.” That’s the heart of Christmas: God didn’t stay distant; He stepped into our messy, chaotic world to be with us. He didn’t arrive in royal robes but in tattered and swaddling cloths, laid in a manger.
Picture a king trading his throne for a stable, just to be near his people. That’s Jesus. He doesn’t wait for us to have it all together—He meets us in our everyday struggles, joys, and even the holiday chaos. He meets us in the messiness of our day to day lives.
This Christmas, take comfort in knowing you’re never alone. Immanuel means Jesus is with you in every carol sung, every cookie baked, and every quiet moment of prayer. He’s also with you though in every screaming kiddo, over blown budget, and family gathering that didn’t go as planned!
Immanuel is God with you!
Reflection: How can you make space to experience God’s presence this Advent?
Application: Slow down. Pause during the busyness to thank God for being with you every step of the way.
Are you tired? Overwhelmed? Running on fumes? Let me be brutally honest with you—it’s probably your own fault. We (and yes I place myself in this category as well) tend to cram our lives full of stuff—appointments, errands, commitments, notifications, endless scrolling—and then wonder why we feel suffocated. The truth is, you’ve built a life with no breathing room. No margin.
And without margin, you’re not living—you’re surviving, barely.
Margin isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s the white space on the page, the pause in the music, the Sabbath in your week. Without it, everything blends into a chaotic blur, and you miss the moments that actually matter.
The Myth of More
We live in a culture that idolizes more. More productivity. More activities for the kids. More money. More accomplishments. But more isn’t making us happier—it’s making us miserable.
Here’s the kicker: the significant things in life—real relationships, awe-inspiring moments, hearing God’s still, small voice—rarely happen when you’re running at 110%. They happen in the margins.
Think about it:
That deep conversation with your son? It didn’t happen during soccer practice, piano lessons, and PTA meetings. It happened on the quiet drive home.
The time you truly connected with your spouse? It wasn’t during a whirlwind of errands. It was in the stillness of an unhurried evening.
That moment when God spoke to your heart? You weren’t rushing to the next thing. You were still, quiet, and listening.
When your life is too full, you bulldoze right over these sacred moments. You’re too busy with the minutia—emails, to-do lists, keeping up appearances—to notice the magnificent.
Let’s be honest for a second: most people don’t leave margin because it feels uncomfortable. We wear busyness like a badge of honor. If your calendar isn’t full, you feel unimportant. Lazy. Maybe even worthless.
But let me tell you something hard: filling your life with stuff is a lousy substitute for meaning.
Jesus didn’t run around like a headless chicken. He walked. He took time to pray. He noticed the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. His ministry was profound not because He was busy, but because He was present.
Five Simple Ways To Create Margin
Say “No” and Mean It Stop being a people pleaser. Every “yes” to something unimportant is a “no” to what truly matters. Your time is precious—guard it like it’s your life (because it is).
Ditch the Unnecessary Do you really need to binge another Netflix series? Spend hours scrolling Instagram? Join every committee at church? No. Free up that space for something meaningful.
Schedule the Sacred Block off time for rest, relationships, and reflection. If it’s not on your calendar, it won’t happen. Treat this time as non-negotiable.
Embrace Silence Turn off the noise. Put down your phone. Be still. You’ll be shocked at how much clarity comes when you stop trying to fill every moment.
Rediscover Wonder Take a walk. Watch the sunset. Listen to your kid’s laughter. These things aren’t just filler—they’re the point.
God designed us to need margin. That’s why He gave us the Sabbath—not to burden us, but to free us. When you leave space in your life, you’re making room for God to move.
Psalm 46:10 doesn’t say, “Work harder and know that I am God.” It says, “Be still and know that I am God.” You can’t be still if you’re sprinting from one thing to the next.
A No So Simple Challenge
This week, I dare you—no, I double dare you—to cut something out of your calendar. Say no to one thing. Block off time to rest. Let go of your obsession with doing it all.
And in that space, watch what happens. You’ll start to breathe again. You’ll start to notice things. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll start to come alive again.
Margin isn’t optional. It’s where life happens. Don’t miss it.
I’ve never really shied away from a hard truth, so here’s one for today. If you’re constantly weighed down by petty drama, meaningless debates, and other people’s chaos, it’s not because life is hard—it’s because your life is too small.
When you’re living small, every little thing feels like a crisis. Someone looked at you funny? You stew over it for days. A co-worker got credit for your idea? You’re ready to quit. A friend didn’t text back? Obviously, it’s the end of the relationship. Someone is busy and misses a meeting that you feel is important? You go WWIII on them.
But the problem isn’t them. It’s you. Or more specifically, the scope of your life.
It’s like this. When you’re focused on building something bigger—living for a purpose, chasing a mission, or pouring yourself out for something that matters—you don’t have time for small worries. Your energy is spent on creating, growing, and changing the world around you.
You can’t live a big life while sweating over small stuff. That math doesn’t math.
The Curse of the Small Life
Small living is self-centered living. Don’t take this the wrong way, but if your world revolves around you—your preferences, your image, your comfort—then every little inconvenience feels like a personal attack. Why? Because small people make themselves the center of the universe.
That’s exhausting. And honestly? It’s unbiblical.
Proverbs 19:11 says, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” When your life is big—when you’re focused on God’s purpose and others’ needs—offenses lose their sting. You don’t get rattled by someone cutting you off in traffic or throwing shade on social media because your eyes are fixed on something (or someone) bigger.
But if your world is small, every offense feels monumental. You’re a ship tossed by every wave. You’re fragile. And let’s be real: Nobody wants to live like that.
Get Over Yourself and Get to Work
Living a big life starts with letting go of the need to be right, admired, or even comfortable. It’s not about you. It never was.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” That’s big living. It’s gritty, uncomfortable, and requires sacrifice. But it’s also the most fulfilling way to live.
Want a big life? Start focusing on what God has called you to do. How about try feeding the hungry. Mentoring a young person. Or just love your neighbor (even the obnoxious ones). Intentionally invest in your family. Step into your church. Go after that dream God planted in your heart.
When you’re busy doing big things, the little things don’t have room to take root. You’ll stop sweating over someone’s tone in an email because you’re too busy planning that next ministry, mission trip, or career step.
Big lives are marked by action, not reaction.
Here’s another punch to the gut: If you’re waiting for life to be perfect before you live big, you’re going to wait forever. The enemy of a big life isn’t failure—it’s fear. Fear of making mistakes, fear of looking stupid, fear of getting hurt.
Newsflash Princess! You’re going to fail. You’ll mess up. People will hurt you. So what?
Living big is messy, but it’s better than the alternative: wasting your life worrying about what doesn’t matter – or meddling in other people’s business!
Start now. Step out. Don’t let the size of your life be dictated by your fears.
The Payoff
When you live big, your worries shrink. Why? Because your perspective changes. You’re not bogged down by trivial things when you’re laser-focused on eternal things.
You’ll notice that small people criticize while big people create. Small people complain while big people serve. Small people cling to their comfort zones while big people break barriers and shatter ceilings.
The choice is yours: Big life, small worries—or small life, big drama.
Jesus didn’t come so you could survive in the shallow end. He came to give you life to the full (see John 10). A big life. A God-sized life. A life that drowns out small worries because it’s consumed with a mission that matters.
So, what’s it going to be? Stay small, or step into something big?
The shepherds were the night-shift workers of ancient Israel—ordinary folks doing an ordinary job. But on that first Christmas night, angels filled the sky with a message just for them: “A Savior has been born to you!” Imagine their awe as heaven’s choir sang a private concert just for them.
Those common, ordinary, anything but significant shepherds were the first to hear of the amazing news of the birth of Jesus. How great is it that God didn’t choose the elite or the high powered but instead the humble and lowly! Sure gives me a chance!
And the shepherds didn’t stay in their fields either. They dropped everything, ran to Bethlehem, and found Jesus lying in a manger. It was exactly as the angels told them. Their love for the newborn King couldn’t be contained—they shared the good news with everyone they met.
This season, let’s follow their example. Let’s look beyond the outward trappings and see the heart of those around us. And when love bursts into your life, you can’t help but share it!
Reflection: Who needs to hear the good news of Jesus from you this Advent?
Application: Love isn’t meant to be bottled up. Let your joy overflow in conversations, hugs, and maybe even a Christmas card.
