Angst describes our world – and too often our own hearts — so well: a deep feeling of unsettledness, discontent, or brokenness. It’s often difficult to identify the cause, but whether we let it out (“I’m crying and have no idea why!”) or hold it inside, the problem doesn’t solve itself. 

Why am I bringing this up so close to Christmas? Because not only is it a reality we face everyday, it’s why we celebrate Christmas. Christmas was never meant to be a cover-up for life’s problems, the one day the world stops fighting and gets along. Christ came to empathize with our broken humanity and then take on the sin’s full curse that spiraled our world into brokenness and pain to begin with. 

The brokenness of this world, whether we’re feeling angst over the decline of our world or nation or the more personal pain of a thousand trials that come our way, is temporary. Jesus’s life and death assure us that he’s come to redeem and restore, not only our souls but our world. We’ve been given sweet and powerful promises, fulfilled in Christ’s coming, to cling to this season:

“‘For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,’ says the LORD, your Redeemer” (Isaiah 54:7-8).

“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4).

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion — to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified” (Isaiah 61:1-3).

The gospel — the good news of Christ’s coming to this earth — offers hope to our anxiety, healing to our brokenness, balm to our wounds. May we rest in these promises today!