Christmastime is such a great time of year. Everyone gets to be with family. Everything is happy and perfect. Except when it isn’t.

For some people, Christmas can be a time where difficulties of losing a job are magnified, losing a family member seems even lonelier, and tough family circumstances are even more complicated.

Isaiah 9:2-6 says,

“2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death ^[a]
a light has dawned.

 3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

 6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, ^[b] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

This is a prophecy about the birth of Jesus. Hundreds of years  before his birth, God thought it was important to let us know that Jesus was coming to be a light in the darkness, to be a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Jesus came to earth so that he could understand what you’re going through and how you feel. If you’re going through a difficult time this Christmas season, remember that Jesus came to offer light and comfort to dark and cold places.