Christmas Has Comfort


In the mornings, the grief reminder greets me.

There are days grief is so tangible it is a hard way to begin the day.

Opening my eyes, reality sets in, and thoughts I don't want dance in my mind.

It is hard to weave through them and focus on or do what is needed for the day.

It isn't just my own grief. I think of my family. I think of my friends and acquaintances going through grief, or the anniversary of grief, sicknesses, finances, struggles with addiction, or some other struggle.

The grief pile grows in my mind and is heavy on my heart.

I know the verses that tell me to give it to Jesus and that is a process too. However, when I do, it doesn't take the sadness away. 

God did give me feelings. 

I still miss and have compassion for others.

I know God understands, I wouldn’t have been told by His Word that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. 

With all the troubles during the holiday season it can become a trial. Except this season is a time of celebrating - THIS - Jesus CAME and WALKED among us. 

He isn't up in the sky as the big boss demanding us to be joyful, play, and sing while your heart is broken. 

BUT - He does give us reason to have the foundation of hope and joy while we are grieving.

I know, He knows.

He walked among us. He physically felt what we feel. He connected with His creation.

One of my favorite stories is - Luke 7:11-14.

Jesus saw a dead man being carried out. The only son of a widow. Besides grieving, in the culture at the time this mom's position sucked.

Jesus saw her, had compassion, and brought her son back to life. 

I stopped when I read that story. I soaked it in. I envisioned it in my mind. 

I envisioned the mom walking in her great loss. I envisioned Jesus looking at her.

Jesus did give life back to her son - but what grabbed my attention is Jesus saw her and felt compassion for her. 

I want to absorb into my faith about Jesus - when He saw her, He had compassion for her. 

When I read other Gospels as Jesus walked among His people many times, he had compassion. 

This is who I can give my grief to - Jesus is who sees me cry, sees my broken heart, and the struggles of those I love. 

AND the huge thing is the Holy Spirit is comforting me. 

Even in the Old Testament life got to be too much for Elijah. He went to a cave, and God met him there. God gave him food and told him to rest. Then He sent Elijah on his way. 

God met Elijah.

God meets us.

God came to the world.

God is still here.

Max Lucado said something along the lines of God coming to this troubled world.

The world was troubled back then. 

It still is.

Man's sin makes the world troubled, and God came to be with us. He left His heavenly throne and dwelt among us.

God is so close that every tear we cry is put in a bottle. Every tear. Can you imagine the size of bottles He has? 

There are seasons and unfortunately there is a season of mourning.

This is also the Christmas season. The parties, the lights, and the gifts, are not for nothing.

It is because Jesus is the light of the world.

Jesus is the ultimate gift for us.

That is the true celebration.

When Jesus came to this troubled earth. He started out in a manger. He let shepherds know He came to earth. He didn't make His first stop the royal palace. He didn't tell the kings. 

No, He started in a low place - a manger. He grew in a family, got to know their friends and community. He experienced all the things we do growing up and our relationships. 

John 1:14 NKJ

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

I believe the ones we love, and lose, are worth crying over and grieving.

I believe He has compassion for us and knows we mourn.

I believe with my entire heart He is here with me, and with you.

Jesus is the Lord, the Savior who is the comfort of Christmas.



 




 


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