Christmas has long represented joyful family gatherings and sharing generational holiday traditions. Television commercials, billboards on highways, and even annual entertainment events portray happiness as intact families celebrating in peace and harmony.
Grief has a way of shuffling up emotions during this time of year. Christmas, especially, can bring to surface sorrows that burrow deep within our hearts after significant loss. We plead with God to hasten us through the days of December.
In spite of deep faith, many of us emotionally limp through November and December, breathing a sigh of relief as the calendar welcomes January. January gives us permission to return to life, inattentive to our pain, and our pressing need for the very one that was born to redeem our bruised and battered hearts.
As Christmas quickly approaches, let us not allow grief to distract us from the gifts of peace and joy that God lavishly provides.
As Christmas approaches, let us not allow grief to distract us from the gifts of peace and joy that God provides.
As Christmas quickly approaches, let us not allow grief to distract us from the gifts of comfort and compassion that God lavishly provides.
Luke, chapter 2, describes how upon the birth of Jesus, a great company of heavenly host appeared with an angel, praising God and saying,” Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”
Our Lord promises us peace, even during seasons of grief. During this time of year, draw near to the peace that surpasses all understanding. Inner peace is not something that we have to pursue. Peace rests upon those the Lord favors.
Peace exists in the hearts of all that claim Jesus as Lord. We are gifted peace even as our hearts long for loved ones that have passed away, marriages that have failed, or relationships that are estranged. This Christmas, receive and rest in the gift of peace that Our Lord graciously supplies.
When we are without loved ones on Christmas, it is easy to slip into hopelessness. Social media has a never ending stream of photos of happy, intact families, making grievers feel even more isolated from hope.
Hebrews 6:19 reminds us, “ We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure.”
Our hope is in our firm, secure, unchanging Lord. Scripture reminds us that Our Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Sadly, people will come and go in our lives. The only relationship that is present from our birth into eternity is the one with Our Heavenly Father.
When grief disrupts our lives, the anchor of our soul will never waver. Our hope is in God’s faithfulness. This Christmas, receive His promises and trust in The One who never fails or abandons us.
The most soothing gift to a grieving soul is God’s unfailing love. When grief tempts us with feelings of isolation, fear, and loneliness, biblical truths extinguish the lies.
Psalm 119:76 encourages us, “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to the promise to your servant.”
Psalm 119:50 fortifies our faith, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promises preserves my life.”
Isaiah 41:10 assures us, “So do not fear, for I am with you.”
If you are in a season of despair, seek out God’s priceless treasures found in His promises throughout His word. Because of a baby born in a manger, we are able to receive our heavenly inheritance while here on earth.
Christmas represents God’s Holy provision to His people – to you and to me. This Christmas, trust in His loving and compassionate provision. Meditating on God’s goodness and devotion to His people allows us to rejoice, even in the midst of grief, and celebrate the birth of Our Savior.
I encourage you right now, no matter what you are facing, to take a minute to turn to God for help and to remember you are not alone.
I encourage you right now, to take a minute to turn to God for help and to remember you are not alone.
I encourage you right now, no matter what you are facing, to take a minute to turn to God for help and to remember you are not alone.
