Reflections From a Christmas Service
Several Christmases ago, my family was preparing to lose my dad. We said our goodbyes as his condition had taken a turn for the worse. That evening, we went to church to celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. I wept openly, not tears of sadness but of joy. Never had I been so aware of and so thankful to celebrate the birth of our Lord. Because of his birth, sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection, our parting from my earthly father would be but for a time.
Amazingly, my father recovered. We still knew that his illness would eventually cause our separation from him on earth, but we were grateful for more chances to create memories and celebrate birthdays. I was particularly grateful for the added time my children had with their Grandpa. God blesses us greatly every year. The blessings of that year and that Christmas were simply easier for us to see with our weak eyes.
My dad did eventually pass. There honestly is not a day that I do not think of him, miss him, and wish that he could be here to enjoy who his grandchildren are becoming. This is particularly true as I write this. We are celebrating an early Christmas with my family in Disney World (my dad’s favorite place). We celebrated Christmas as a family in Disney World for my dad’s last 15 years, so the memories are thick, and it’s often difficult as I travel the same steps I did with him for so many years. We got to celebrate together as adults before my kids were born. I got to watch my dad take them by the hand to help guide them when they were little, and then watch them take him by the hand to help him as he aged. I know many of you have similar memories of your families. I know they are particularly poignant at Christmas. God healed my dad that Christmas Eve, but the physical healing was only for a time. We celebrate that what God did on Christmas is for all time.
From Was to Is
The Civil War historian Shelby Foote was once asked what the result of the war was. He said that the Civil War turned the United States from an are to an is. What he meant was that instead of a loose collection of States, the United States became connected in a different way following the war.
Among so many things that God did through Jesus, he turned my dad from a was to an is. Because of the work of Jesus, my dad is. We do not need to speak of him in the past tense… ever. That does not take away the pain of separation from those we have loved and lost, but it gives us great hope for the future.
An Exercise in Gratitude
My prayer for all of us is that we would have stronger eyes of faith to see God's blessings in our lives, big and small. This Christmas season, take some time amidst all the busyness to reflect on your year. Endeavor to remember how God has blessed you. Write these blessings down and share them with others. Tell stories of those you have lost, but try now to speak of them in the present tense. Then, go to Christmas Eve service and, if so moved, weep openly in joy for the blessing of our Savior's birth. I will likely be weeping along with you.
Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!
