I wish I could say this time of the year was a time for joy and celebration for everyone. For some it’s a reminder of their lack. To others it might be a reminder that their loved one is really gone. Some find this season to be a time when once contained emotions surface ready to be dealt with in a new way. Christmas should be a time a time to really put into perspective whose birth it is that’s celebrated on this day and what the purpose of His coming was really about.
The Lord Jesus has become such a mighty comforter this time of year for me and much of my family. In 2003, the morning after Christmas Day, I answered a phone call from my dad who delivered the heart stopping news that my cousin, who was my age at the time, decided to take his own life in the midst of a chaotic and what must have seemed hopeless situation. With much grief, I’m left wondering if there was salvation for him.
Exactly, to the day, one year later in 2004, while my aunt and uncle flew out of state to be with my cousin (my aunts remaining child after the death of her son. Her husband being the long time step-father to my cousins) so they would be together during this difficult time, I was again notified at morning, this time that my uncle passed in his sleep which was later found to have resulted from an aneurism. My cousin recently shared with me some details from the intimate discussion her and her step-father had shared before retiring for the night. Arrangements for surgery apparently had been set upon his return home. He claimed he’d made his peace with God and indeed was a Christian. My cousin shared the peace she has knowing where he is and feeling she had some opportunity to say good-bye.
While some are fretting about how they are going to obtain the “it” toy of the season, and some are celebrating with parties and gift exchanges, perhaps time can be taken to say a prayer for those who are grieving this year; who are afraid. Many have a loved one stationed in the service away from home, some don’t have a forever family to call their own, and for some this may be their first Christmas since their love one has passed on. Maybe you are one of those who are grieving this year. If you are, I’d like to share these scriptures from Christ with you:
- “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
- “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)
- “Pease I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be trouble, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
The purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the coming of the greatest gift and that is our Savior and Comforter Jesus Christ.
For a related blog on loss, please check out this blog by Families.com’s Insurance Blogger Anna Glendenning: The Crash That Killed Martin and Jennifer.
Scripture references are quoted from the NKJV.