The greatest gift to man was birthed not in pageantry and splendor, but in pain and agony. Isaiah 53 is a poetic picture of the true Messiah and Savior. It's hard to read because it is full of words like despised, rejected, sorrows, oppressed and afflicted. Jesus is given this title in verse 3 - "A man of sorrows acquainted with grief". The Father in His wisdom and understanding gave us His son born out of pain and sorrow so that we could know not just a man called Jesus, but a Savior who overcame the very pain and sorrow we needed to be rescued from. This is the Jesus the world can relate to because that is real life. The real treasure of Christmas is not the pretty lights, presents and music. It's that in the face of great pain and sorrow, we can find true life! This is the tidings of great joy the angels sang about - the God that created the universe is the God that is acquainted with your pain and sorrow. He understands your grief and suffering. And not only does he understand, one day soon we will be with him again and there will be no more sorrow and no more pain. The gift he gave is still yet to be realized in its fullness. That is how we find peace and joy in the middle of sorrow and pain.
May His peace and joy find you this Christmas right in the midst of all that life brings, especially among your sorrow and grief, your pain and your suffering. Embrace His gift to you and may you find tidings of comfort and joy.