Christmas is often associated with comfort: beautiful gifts, candle-lit dinners, and celebrating with loved ones. All of which are wonderful.
One interesting contrast is how the festivities compare to Jesus’ life story:
He was born in a manger. His bed was made of hay. Not even a one-star hotel. Didn’t smell great with donkeys around.
He spent days in solitude in the wild. Cold and hungry. The devil tempted him with food. He said no.
He traveled long distances on foot. He stayed with whoever would receive him. Couch surfing, basically.
He attended to the sick and shared meals with the marginalized. Not much time with friends and family.
He challenged the authority. Those in power hated him. They hung him on a cross.
He understood discomfort is a rite of passage to something greater.