Though I have had a lot of different thoughts swirling in my head these recent months, I have not taken the time to put them into print, so this is my first blogpost in a very long time. But if there is ever a time to “take these things and ponder them in our hearts,” Christmas is probably as good a time as any!
I love Christmas! First and foremost it is the celebration of Emanuel, God with us– the coming of our Savior as a Man, and is ultimately about the Cross– where His sacrifice provides all who believe with the gift of salvation, and relationship with God!How amazing is that! And Christmas means family gatherings, sharing gifts and good will to others, and a time to “reset” as we look forward to the changing over to a new year.
So, what if your Christmas is different this year? What if it’s not about the gifts, photo perfect family times, good health and happiness? What if the Savior, Who is “God with us,” seems very far from us? What if this Christmas means family far away from home, marriage on the brink of divorce, temporary sickness (this year I am on day 3 of NO voice!) or more serious diagnosis? You may have experienced a huge financial loss or seen your home going up in flames. Or it could be the first time a loved one is missing– or the 2nd or 3rd time… I’m not sure that pain ever goes away. What if the new baby you were so excited about arrived with multiple ongoing health issues needing 24/7 care? Or the teenager in your home is making choices leading them down a road you have often prayed against? Or young adults who are making their own way in life as you continue to let go. Those who are alone the first time ever– a spouse has died, or left, children are gone, a wife with Alzheimer’s is admitted to a nursing home… And the lasts that we often do not know until they are past– it could be the last time together with an elderly parent or any of our loved ones, or the last time your children are at home in this way– nothing on earth is guaranteed.
Then there are also the joyful differences, such as the arrival of a new baby long awaited for by a couple who struggles with infertility, though we realize every life is a gift from God! A newlywed couple celebrating for the first time in their new home, the adult adopted brother coming home to spend time with adopted family and recently found biological family, this year bringing his son! It could be the year you are celebrating an engagement or new marriage, or getting to visit grandchildren. Maybe there are treasured relationships in your life that you are enjoying, or special times with friends. Maybe an illness or sad time from a year ago has been healed, and you have new hope for the future. There are so many ways each year can differ from the last, and I am finding it so important to keep these memories hidden away in my heart!
Whether you are enjoying time honored traditions, making new ones, or attempting to find meaning and comfort at all, remember– Emanuel, God with us! Our hearts may be filled with so many things this Christmas season… joy and sorrow, loneliness, hope and peace… it is a great time to reach out to those around us– rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Look for those special moments to tuck away in your heart– shared tears and hugs, words of comfort and joy, sharing of precious memories, and the testimonies of faith from those who have gone before us as well as those still with us! Though Christmas may be different this year (we can say that every year), the Reason for the Season remains the same– it’s about the coming of our Savior, from the manger to the cross, and what this means for all of mankind– there is HOPE!
From the manger to the Cross, Jesus came to save the lost!
And I will finish this with the touching conclusion of my widowed aunt’s Christmas letter this year, who unexpectedly lost her adult son very recently… after sharing how her heart was broken, but God will fix it, she signed off with “blessed be the name of our Lord.” These are words from the book of Job. If we can truly say them, we have found deeper meaning in whatever kind of Christmas we are having any year– no matter how things change in our lives, God is faithful and with us through it all, and we can trust Him.
“The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21 KJV)
A blessed Christmas to all! Love from our home to yours!
Joyful Journey 