In December, the Crib at Our Lady of Egypt Church, Kalina, invited us to reflect on the theme “Broken by Life, Restored by Christ.” Created by the Youth Group, it captured the deep, universal struggles we face – those times when life shatters us, yet Christ offers the hope of restoration. Drawing inspiration from Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold, the Crib symbolized the beauty of embracing our brokenness. Rather than hiding our cracks, like Kintsugi, Christ fills them with His love, turning our wounds into something precious.

We all experience moments of Brokenness. Whether it’s childhood trauma, the pain of lost dreams, fractured families, or the loneliness that can accompany aging, each of us carries invisible scars. But in these very cracks, the raw truth of life is revealed. It’s in our struggles that we discover our humanity and strength. The Crib reminded us that brokenness is not the end, but a step toward healing and transformation.

In Christ, our fractured selves are not beyond redemption. His Love, like the Gold in Kintsugi, enters our wounds, mending us into something whole and beautiful. The birth of Jesus into a broken world is a profound declaration of God’s promise that we are never beyond His reach, no matter how deep our suffering. His love is the golden thread that makes us whole again.

This message of restoration isn’t for just one group; it speaks to us all. Whether we are children, teens, parents, or elders, we all face brokenness. But through Christ’s love, our cracks are filled with hope. Let this message remind us that Our Struggles are not the End of the Story. They are the beginning of something far more beautiful – Christ’s healing love, transforming us into something whole.