It always amazes me how Christmas time brings such deep sorrows and great joys – and all at the same time.
I just returned from visiting and “doing” Christmas in Arizona. Warm weather! Yes! We had a great time. We shopped, ate, looked at lights, opened the gifts we shopped for, watched movies and just shared life. A friend told me she saw Santa Claus everywhere, and so he was – even on a motorcycle ho-ho-hoing in the shopping mall parking lot. It occurred to me that Santa may be everywhere, but only God is omnisicient.
It’s been one year now since my family said goodbye to one of our Grandpas, and stood aside as he went to heaven. We missed him this year, the empty chair is still there. Just a few hours before he left, we joyfully greeted a new little boy member of our family. This year, on Ben’s one year birthday, his brother Nathaniel was born. What great celebration for us!
Yet, in my friend Kathy’s family, they said goodbye to their husband and father. This time, they stood aside as he went to heaven. My heart ached for them. Another friend faces a health threat. She had to go through Christmas recovering from surgery; not yet knowing her results.
And all along at Christmas, we celebrate as our families get together, open gifts and eat turkey and goodies. The lights are beautiful and music and bells are ringing everywhere.
Every year, the contrast feels so extreme. Yet the one unalterable fact is that Jesus came to this world to save us from our sins and an empty, painful eternity. The Baby grew up and our Savior fulfilled His Father’s plan. He is constant, loving, forgiving, ever present when we call upon Him.
Hope abounds.
“For the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God” Hebrews 7:19.
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