About the Author

ALIZA LATTA is a writer, artist, and pastor who is a huge fan of telling stories. She creates content for Canada’s largest youth conference, Change Conference, and is a church planter in Ontario, Canada. Her artwork and writing have been featured in publications for LifeWay, Dayspring, and (in)courage. She is...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Aliza,
    I think those for whom everything is merry and bright are few. For many, it’s joy mixed with pain. Christ came, not because we were doing so well on our own. He came because we were/are sinful, fallen, hurting people. We needed saving and we could not save ourselves. What a beautiful call to run to Jesus, Emmanuel, with our pain and to extend grace and kindness to those who are hurting. Wonderful post..
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

        • Bev, merry Christmas, i think about you , as you know Christmas is tough ! Not sure why so many people focus on the wrong reasons for the holidays? It’s about jesus , Christmas is a life style not a day in the month of December. I’m finally understanding this idea. My word for the year is bloom, please pray for me, as i step out of my pain and into a life that honors god. His will be done, and i no longer want to pray for my will, but open my eyes to his will. Without the pain , I couldn’t find the true meaning, let the pain direct your life to the will of god, to feel his love , we grow through pain, not that I’m a big fan of pain, but sometimes its the only way to grow in my spiritual walk.

          • Maria,
            Praying for you to step out of the pain and to bloom in the grace God has bestowed upon you. Joining with you in praying for God’s will to be done and not our own. I know we grow through the pain…trying to learn what God has to teach me.
            Christmas blessings to you,
            Bev xx

    • Bev,

      Have a blessed Christmas. Praying your son & daughter will call or stop by to spend time with you. Praying you have quiet time with Jesus & remember the reason for this wonderful season!

      Advent & Christmas Blessings 🙂

  2. Amen Aliza – I always love reading your posts. Jesus is all we need this Christmas- he certainly is holding me!! I pray for his peace for my son and family and myself. I pray for his peace for you as you remember the loss of your friend and for all of those who need him and his peace this season. Thank you for the words to focus on making room to pray and help those that need it ❤️

  3. This was a beautiful post. I have been feeling these sad feelings for my family and friends going through such hard times right now. Yes, drawing close to Him in prayer and being and extension of His love is so needed. I made goody trays and my family went around giving them out to those that needed a little kindness shown to them in the midst of their hard times. Brought joy to my heart and hopefully soften their hurting hearts.

  4. Beautiful words and oh so true. My sweet 90 yo Dad passed in October, so this Christmas is very different for our family. While there is sadness, we Rejoice!!! For we know where he is and that we will see him again in Glory. ❤️
    Blessings to you and Merry Christmas.

  5. This is beautifully said and I thank you for it. I happen to be one for whom this month is not “good” in that my only brother-in-law passed away of Dec. 6th. He and my only sister had moved to Assisted Living about six weeks before. My only sister passed away on Sunday, Dec. 15th. I was wakened in the night by an episode of the chronic illness with which I have lived for 53 plus years. My hair and my pj’s were soaked with ice cold sweating that is a part of Meniere’s Disease. It did not move into an attack which was a blessing. I needed to be wide awake so I would realize what her oldest son was going to tell me. I hadn’t been able to cry for my sister, who had dementia for three years. Monday, the 16th I closed my early morning time on my PC by my usual opening of JigZone Jigsaw to work the Puzzle of the Day . It was the image of a Garden Gnome. I fell into sobs that made my throat ache. My sister loved those small pieces and had placed them all around her flowers gardens and I knew that my sign from the Father that she is with Jesus. He gives me visuals because I’m a visual learner. I’m 86. Sis was 84.

    Thank you , and you also Bev, for your beautifully written words.

  6. I heard a quote once (at the moment I don’t remember where) that said we should be kind to everyone because everyone is going through something. This post reminded me of that, thanks!
    God Bless,
    M @ In Beautiful Chaos

  7. Thank you for your beautiful and heartfelt post. Amidst the lights, decorations and celebrations this season, there is immense suffering in this world. It’s comforting to know that Emmanuel, God with us, is truly with us. When we feel like we are down to our last thread, He strengthens us to keep going. We never know the kindness we show to others, what an impact it makes in ones life. On more than one occasion I was shown that kindness and it gave me hope to take another step. God bless you Aliza. Thank you so much for sharing!

  8. Aliza,

    This time of year is tough on so many levels. It gets & stays dark so long-not enough sunlight thus making a sad mood even worse. Psych issues tend to worsen this time of year-our circadian rhythm is off. We need light. God knew that so He graciously sent His only son to die for us-thus giving us the needed light. This year is tough on my family also. My FIL passed Monday before Thanksgiving. His cancer & bladder infection battles are over no more suffering. Now the MIL has to brave life without him. Fortunately her family & his will be here for Christmas. She will enjoy all the people. My hubby & I work in hospitals. It is extra hard on the patients being in a hospital setting away from home at this time. Praising God for Jesus coming to be with us in our messes & trials.

    P.S. praying for your friends. Cancer is hard & treatments can be rough. May God be with her & bring some peace to the family.

    Blessings 🙂