It is November now and the holiday "season" is just about upon us. I will admit I have been full of anxiety over how this year will go. Will I be overcome by waves of grief? Will memories from these precious and tender times be harder to deal with than the routine, day-to-day ones? I am not sure yet. I know in years past I often found myself complaining about the hectic nature of the holidays. So many events (children's recitals and plays), countless gifts to buy, social activities to attend, cookies to bake, etc. But this year I wrestle with my still-tender grief during the holiday season and, goodness, how I would gladly take back all those busy times I complained about! Holidays are about traditions and I think it may be a constant reminder that Ryan is not with me to do our traditions together anymore. And with the holiday season lasting well over a month, I have a lot of fear and anxiety that the pain may seem to drag out forever.
But I plan to have a plan. When the pain or anxiety seems overwhelming, I plan to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. And I do not mean some cliché statement, but a deep, in depth look at Christmas itself. Christmas is in fact a celebration that can actually be an overwhelming source of God's comfort to us. This is because Christmas leads directly to hope and healing. You see, the reason Jesus came to earth - was born in a manger that starlit night - was to purposefully end our suffering. God saw all the problems in this world and by sending His son, Jesus, He promised to lovingly fix them. It is a gift. This promise is for my problems, your problems, all the world's problems - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Let that really sink in for a minute - God sent that newborn babe to be born in a manager with the express purpose of carrying out His plan to end our suffering.
So at Christmas, we celebrate Christ’s entrance into the world as a promise and a gift for us. “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘… There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” (Rev. 21:3–5) Christmas is that promise being made flesh, that there will be no more disease, no more tragedy, no more suffering, no more grief - there will be no more death. And that is the reason for hope and celebration we must all cling to this Christmas, especially for those suffering through grief.
So as we celebrate the gift of Jesus, I pray that in my heart and yours, the meaning of Christmas is not just some cliché statement or a carol that rolls off the tongue. I pray that this year we all take time to really feel what it means to be the recipient of God’s loving plan to end our suffering and save us from a broken world. That is true comfort. I know as I feel sad, overwhelmed, or consumed with my grief, I am going to cling to that reminder that the baby Jesus came to heal my heart, and this world. And I am thankful that He has already healed my Ryan's tender heart. What a comfort! Dare I say, even a joy? So as I continue to wade through this broken world, I will celebrate the holidays, one day at a time, clinging to and knowing the promise of that tear-free reality that Jesus will one day unveil to me. And praising my God that my Ryan is already experiencing that comfort and joy and release from this world's suffering this year, his first year celebrating Christmas in heaven with Jesus Himself.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6–7)
No comments:
Post a Comment