Family tension. Unmet expectations. Grief. Financial struggles. Loss. Anxiety. Depression.

The holidays can be a difficult season for many of us. With cheery songs playing in every store, lights and decorations, and the assumption that this is “the most wonderful time of the year,” we often feel pressure to hide the struggles because it seems everyone else is happy. This is the reality for many, perhaps even most, in our community. It can be a difficult season when these uninvited feelings grip our souls.

Into our pain and doubts, Jesus comes and invites us to something different this season. We do not have to come to him with everything figured out. Our welcome and worthiness is not determined by our faithfulness. In fact, in the spirit of hymnwriter Joseph Hart, “all God asks as you approach him is to know your need of him.”

Last Sunday, we heard a song as we began our time of worship together that speaks to anyone who feels they don’t measure up to the title of the Christmas classic, “O Come, All Ye Faithful”:

O come, all you unfaithful;

Come, weak and unstable.

Come; know you are not alone!

O come, barren and waiting ones,

Weary of praying.

Come; see what your God has done!

It goes on and speaks to those who are bitter, broken, guilty, hiding, empty, and full of unspoken fears. God invites each of us to come and see what he has done through his birth, his life, his death, his resurrection—he has brought peace that we can’t comprehend. He is the only one who can deliver us from our brokenness, our suffering, and ourselves.

If Christmas were a holiday all about our faithfulness or worthiness, there wouldn’t be much to celebrate. But praise God that he is worthy, he is faithful to his promises, and he came down to make us worthy members of his family of faith!

So come to Jesus this Advent season, even if (and especially if) you don’t have it all figured out. Behold him, the humble conqueror of sin and death, the creator of the universe clothed in frail humanity—God with us. If your heart is restless, find your rest in him. If you’re wandering, find your purpose in his story. The light of Jesus shines bright and can illumine the darkest corners of your heart. Come to him!