Three shopping days left, are you ready for celebrating Christmas with your family?

When you “˜look back”™ to this Christmas holiday, what will be some highlights for you? What will be in your plans to make this Christmas memorable?

Jesus gave His disciples something to “˜look back”™ to after He had died, had been raised to life and ascended into heaven.

Jesus used an illustration His disciples could understand and that we can also relate to regarding pain followed by joy: A pregnant woman goes into labor which is filled with pain, intense pain for many women. This pain increases as the labor progresses and until the baby is born. For most women, when that life they have been carrying for nine months is finally birthed”¦they are filled with joy as they see that little personality lying in their arms. And they forget about the pain! (A paraphrase of John 16:21.)

What did Jesus know that would prepare His disciples, not only for the coming devastating hours and days ahead, but also beyond to the joy they would experience?

(NASB) John 16:19-20 “Jesus knew that they wished to question Him and He said to them, “˜Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, “˜A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me”™?

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.”

Jesus was preparing His disciples for the coming horror of His death and the joy of His resurrection.

He also provided them comfort for the distant future when they would “˜look back”™ and remember this time and His words of comfort and even joy!

May your Christmas focus

on the celebration of the Lord Jesus Christ”™s birth.

May it be one you will “˜look back”™ on with remembrances of joy!