Look for encouragement everywhere!
The days are getting shorter, our mornings and evenings are dark and cold, and the weight of expectations and preparations may be weighing us down. At this time of year, it can be difficult to stay cheerful and get into the “Christmas spirit” even though deep down we know there are joyful celebrations of Christ’s birth to come.
What are some unique places where we can find Christianencouragement and light? My hope is that you find encouragement in some of the usual bright spots of scripture, church, music, family, friends, and a warm home.
But maybe we can also find encouragement in some UNusualplaces. For example, hearing a speech from Saskatchewan Roughrider Trevor Harris where he says he can’t step up to the microphone without first mentioning his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. And watching him at the end of the Grey Cup winning game where he kneels on the field for a prayer before celebrating with the rest of the team. Or reading online news where people in the UK react to a supermarket that labelledChristmas trees as “Evergreen trees” and someone is quoted as commenting: “It’s a Christmas tree that people put up at Christmas to celebrate Christmas!” That defense of Christmas makes me smile, what about you? Or maybe going into the hospital for treatment wearing a cross necklace, and finding your nurse or doctor wearing one too.
I pray that you watch for and hold onto your own little pieces of encouragement here and there to brighten your days as we allstride towards the big and bright celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour.
When I thought, “My foot slips,”
your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalm 94:18-19
Your sister in Christ,
Michelle G.
President, Capital Zone
Serving in His Strength” is a blog
published by the Member Development Committee of
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada, Inc.
Lutheranwomen.ca
2025