5 Encouraging Reminders for Care Workers This Christmas
Written by Ruth Clemence
Many care professionals will be scheduled to work over the Christmas period. This season can bring mixed feelings, both personally and professionally. That’s why it’s important to be reminded of truth; to fill our minds with God’s Word which will give hope in the darker, colder days and months. Here are five reminders for carers to hold onto this Christmas — and into the New Year:
You are seen.
God sees you. His eye is upon you and He cares deeply for you. There are many instances throughout the Bible that show how deeply God knows us. From before the foundation of the world, the precious moments when we were conceived in the womb, the times when we wake up and lie down to rest, and the number of hairs on our head, to the number of days that we have to live.
We may be tempted to sing ‘He knows when you are sleeping, He knows when you’re awake, He knows when you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!’ as the Christmas song ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ goes. But God is not Santa. He is our ‘Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6). He is the Creator of the world, the Author of life, a Friend of sinners. We know there is no one who is good but God alone. We don’t need an all-seeing Santa, but an all-sufficient Saviour. Praise God, we have all we need in Christ alone.
God is with you.
We read about the coming of Jesus in Matthew 1 and how He was given the name Immanuel which means ‘God with us’ (verse 23). God came down in the person of Jesus Christ. We trace His family tree and see how God promised to send a Saviour to crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3) and God so loved the world that He sent His only Son (John 3:16). Jesus walked this earth as a man, and was acquainted with human sin and suffering. More than that, He suffered and died on a cross for us. It wasn’t just the physical cross that caused Him pain. It was our sin that held Him upon it; our iniquity was placed on Him (Isaiah 53:5). But He willingly went to Calvary for us. His purpose was to rescue; to seek and to save the lost. God is unchanging. Therefore, He is still with us by the Holy Spirit. He will enable us to do all the tasks required, and He will give wisdom, peace, patience, and joy this season.
You are serving the Lord.
Jesus came to serve, not be served (Matthew 20:28). That verse goes on to say He gave His life as a ransom for many. He laid down His life for us. When we serve and care for others, we are following our Saviour. Jesus did not count His equality with God as something to be grasped, but He emptied Himself, and took on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6-7). As we arrive at work, weary and overwhelmed, may we dwell upon our Servant King. Every act that we do, we do for Him. He is worthy to be praised and as we serve others, we are serving Christ.
Rest in Him.
There is no true or lasting rest, unless it is found in Christ. He says ‘come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). Whether we are working or have time off, we can come to Him and find refreshment and rest for our souls. It is important to remember that even Jesus stopped, slept, and enjoyed rest with His Father. Our body, mind and spirit can model our Maker this Christmas season — for our good and His glory.
You are loved.
Whatever your year has looked like so far, and whatever is to come in the next, this truth remains: God loves you. Yes, you. His love for you is everlasting. He will never stop loving you. He is love. From this secure and stunning truth, you can know that through every circumstance, you are delighted in and can go forth in boldness. From this position, you are able to love others because of God’s love for you. Even when it is difficult to love (and the holidays can bring incredibly challenging times with others), you can ask Jesus to help you to love. Look to the cross and remember how much the Lord loves you. He has set you free. Reflect upon His extravagant love, grace and compassion this season, and always.