The only noise in the room is the tick-tock of the clock. The Christmas tree shines brightly in the corner. My space heater radiates warmth to my chilled legs.

My dog lies on the couch nearby, perched on a couch pillow, wondering if I will enforce the no lying on the couch pillows rule.

I decide to let her stay.

My eyes fix on the tree. It’s real pathetic looking. If Christmas trees can look sad, then this one pulls it off pretty well.

I glance back at the faux limbs and pine needles and wonder … grieve, almost … because the world puts so much emphasis on the grandios.

The perfect.

The new.

I decide the tree deserves more attention so I dig out my camera. And I find beauty that could have never been seen from afar.

Simply because I took the time to look deeper.

The holidays are a time when hurting people are hurting more, and searching people are searching deeper. There are Christmas trees scattered all throughout this country that don’t measure up to the standard of the perfect Christmas. And there are people scattered all throughout this country, in your neighborhood, grocery stores, and churches who don’t feel like they belong, who are withering, droopy, and struggling to survive and maybe even contemplating whether they want to survive.

Go find those people, and look deep.

Because unlike an artificial Christmas tree, people can grow and change. 

So look past what might at first seem like offish behavior, oddities, quirks, bad temperaments or fake smiles, and ask Jesus to help you see what He sees.

Sing the words of the chorus to Brandon Heath’s Give Me Your Eyes, to the Lord …

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see.

Lord, help me to see past the facade of those who are hurting and desperate for You. Help me to show them the love of Christ, so that they will turn to you in their brokenness. Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, and the wonderful hope that His birth, death, and resurrection bring us.

Grant us the boldness to share that hope.

Amen.

And all God’s people said?