Christmas is a joyful time, but for many people it's also a sorrowful time.

And this morning, my wife, Joe and I were talking and she said, you know, Taylor, I've seen this year more than any other year on Facebook and other social media outlets,

a lot of people reaching out for prayers or expressing sadness, depression, and people are mentioning, you know,

splitting from their spouse, illness, depression, being estranged from family. And it struck me

that this is a great opportunity for those of you that are hurting

or that know with people that are hurting to look at Christmas as a day of hope.

We live in a valley of tears.

Suffering is part of this life.

Doesn't matter if you're a billionaire.

There is suffering.

There is hardship.

And it touches everyone.

There's no one in this life that goes through it without sadness, suffering, disease,

estrangement, financial problems. And so I think just knowing that you're part of this human condition is in a way reassuring,

but the ultimate assurance and the ultimate hope is to know that the Son of God actually entered into this Valley of Tears.

He actually was born of a virgin, and he was born in

poverty, and as soon as he enters into this world, he's already facing a murder plot. Herod is coming

after him. His family, Joseph, Mary, Jesus, they have to go to Egypt. And then even into his adult life, ultimately

climaxing in the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. But he overcomes all that suffering.

He overcomes all that death. And he rises again on the third day. And he beats suffering.

He beats persecution. he beats being misunderstood,

he beats sin and death. And so on Christmas, all of us carry with us wounds, all of us

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