Ryan's Ramblings

We have a list of Christmas shows we like to watch in the month of December, and a few days ago we watched my favorite—It’s a Wonderful Life.

I’ve seen it scores of times. But this time, something at the very beginning caught my attention. Early in the film, when the angels are talking about George Bailey and preparing to send him help, Clarence asks a simple question: “What’s wrong with him? Is he sick?”

The answer from the archangel comes back:
“No. It’s worse… he’s discouraged.”

That line lingered.

Israel knew something about discouragement. Four hundred years without a word from God. No prophets. No fresh promises. Just silence. Waiting. Wondering if heaven had gone quiet for good. And when God finally speaks again, it isn’t to kings or scholars or priests. It’s to shepherds.

That matters.

Shepherds lived on the margins—out in the fields, overlooked, underpaid, and widely regarded as rough, untrustworthy, and not to be taken seriously. They worked the night shift, slept little, and carried the quiet weight of being unseen. If anyone knew discouragement, it was them.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” (Luke 2:8, NIV)

That’s where the angel shows up. Not with rebuke. Not with demands. But with encouragement.

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10, NIV)

Jesus didn’t just come to forgive sin. He came to lift hearts. To restore hope. To speak into the long discouragement of a weary world.

The prophet Isaiah said it this way: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2, NIV)

And that light still shines—into ordinary lives. Here’s the quiet Christmas truth: The world measures wealth by what you own. God measures it by what has been given to you—grace.

George Bailey was discouraged—until he was shown he was the richest man in town.

On the night Jesus was born, the richest people weren’t the ones with warm houses or full tables. They were the ones standing in a field, hearing good news—and receiving it.

If you’re discouraged this Christmas, you’re not forgotten. Heaven has not gone silent. Help has been sent. The Child in the manger came—for you.

And that is what makes life—not easy, not painless—but held and hopeful—now and forevermore.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV)

Merry Christmas!