I love Christmas. I haven't loved every Christmas in my life however.
The first Christmas four months after my daughter died in a car accident
was a bad one. The Christmas before that after my husband left, that
same daughter wept as she opened presents sent from her father. That was
not a good Christmas either. Christmas cards, movies, T.V. programs
etc., all promote the perfect family sitting down to the perfect meal
after opening lovely presents. But what about the other people--the
ones who find the sting of loss even more excruciating at Christmas next
to the template of that perfect family Christmas? What Christmas cards
are there to send those people?
I think I could make one. It
would show someone with their face turned to heaven in the shadow of the
cross with the nativity scene to one side. It would say, "Strength for
today and bright hope for tomorrow because of the child given so long
ago." The inside might say, "...He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted..." I have been one who has been bound up with healing from
the Son of God who spoke in the temple that day. By God's mercy, I have
enjoyed many good Christmas times since those sad ones.
The
family side of Christmas is important as our emotions are more tender at
this time of year. However, deep in the heart of every Christian is the
recognition that Christmas is not truly about a family Christmas. It is
about appreciating the tremendous gift of salvation given as God in
Christ stepped into time at Bethlehem to accomplish our salvation. And
what does one DO with this appreciation? How do we please God during
this season? Reaching out to others, especially when we are sorrowful,
can end up being a comfort for the giver and the receiver--a sort of
two for one. They feel better and so do we. What visit, what meal, what
kindness can we give someone else to alleviate their painful Christmas?
That's the key: thanksgiving to God and outstretched hand to
others in need. Now there's a good Christmas card sentiment. Happy or
sad, may the Lord Jesus bless your Christmas with joyful thanksgiving of
what Almighty God did to make a way for us to be forgiven, because of
that first Christmas.
"Help me Lord to comfort others this
Christmas the way you have comforted me. Then I might please you, and in
doing so, find my own peace through it." Thanks be to God. Amen
Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
