I suppose the virgin Mary would have said she was having a tough time on that very first Christmas. I'm sure Joseph was really upset when he drew the family donkey up to the inn in Bethlehem and found there was no room. Life is tough.

This year has been really tough for our family, and it's still going out in a hailstorm. This year, my parents moved into a retirement home in June, we put their house of 50 years on the market, and then my older sister died of cancer, Dad's left leg had to be amputated in September, and now...

Dad's other leg had to be amputated yesterday! If that's not enough, Dad will be in a nursing home and Mom has to move again to a different apartment between Christmas and New Year!

Praise God, our son Lex got here from college before the worst weather hit Europe -- but it took him 4 days of air travel! His bag didn't make it, though -- we're still waiting after 5 days. We also had a full day this week without electricity or heat.

Yes, life can be tough!

But, Oh, how GREAT a Saviour we have, who is tougher still -- who came into this "world of woe" to conquer death and sin and all Evil -- so that someday, Life will NOT be tough!

JOY TO THE WORLD!