On day 13 of our Advent journey, we unwrap one of the most slippery gifts of grace. In Christ, we have the gift of contentment, but we so easily forget and grumble.
In this chapter, Jared Wilson reminds us that the Christmas season highlights our discontentment through our continuous dissatisfaction with our lives or our envy of others. We want more, more, more and this Christmas will be perfect. One of our South African department stores even uses the slogan “The Best Christmas Ever” this year. If you’ve lived through enough Christmases, you realize there is no such thing. Because we live in a sin-cursed world we will never have a perfect Christmas. But if we live in Christ we have everything we need because of Christmas.
“The key to contentment, then, is to remember, in the midst of all that we lack this year, all that we’ve already been given!”– Jared Wilson
More than ever before, we live in an era of never enough. We need one more outfit, more likes on social media, another degree or a side hustle. We just need “a little bit more”. Yet the only true avenue to contentment is godliness because only God can satisfy. Neither a spouse nor house nor child or perfect body. Only God.
So during this festive season that robs us of our godly contentment follow Jared Wilson’s advice and look up. “Take your eyes off of what other people have that you might want. Take your eyes off of earthly situations or rewards that are constantly passing away. Lift your eyes to the heavens.”
Jesus Christ is our perfect source of contentment. Through Christ by imputation, we have received redemption and endless riches.
There is no greater gift.
What are you longing for this Christmas that is robbing you of perfect contentment in Christ?
Let me know by clicking the button below:
This song is a beautiful reminder to look up to Jesus, especially in times of discontentment:
