I’ll Be Home for Christmas

As I drove past this hospital tonight where my David took his last breath on the fifth floor, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” was playing on the radio. I couldn’t help but say out loud, “yes you will. You are absolutely home for Christmas.”

Souls. They’re all that last for eternity out of this current world we live in. But if you’re grieving a loss this Christmas, or just feeling sad, I read something recently that I pray encourages you. “If life doesn’t shine quite as brightly anymore or your days feel emptier, it’s not because death has taken away your joy. It’s because death has revealed a greater longing-for a joy that lasts, unbroken, abounding forever and ever.”

Our greater longing through loss brings us joy when we think about the hope of Heaven. But what about now? What about his empty chair at Christmas? The presents I won’t buy? How am I supposed to have “joy” in my brokenness and pain of loss?

Just as new life begins the moment after redemption, new life begins the moment after loss. The promises of God offer us unspeakable joy, even in our darkest moments. He’s not done with us, or we would have been the ones to go home. Joy is not happiness. It is walking in the knowledge that God keeps His promises for us in light of eternity AND in the here and now. If you smile, laugh or even feel peace this Christmas, that has absolutely nothing to do with not missing and grieving your person. That is the supernatural peace and joy that can only come from serving a Holy God who created joy for us as we finish our race toward home. He created that beautiful Heaven we long for, and He will run the race with us as we move through the broken places with hope. There’s joy in this journey of grief. Not because we deny our sadness. Because we hope in a God who keeps His Word.

Souls. They’re all that last for eternity from this world. What a blessing that we got to love those precious souls who now wait for us and cheer us on as we finish our race.

Take heart-He’s with us every step this season-and always. For that, allow yourself to feel His promise of new life and the joyful moments this life can still bring. You may have to look harder some days, but we will find them when we “seek Him with our whole heart.”

My prayer for all of us this Christmas is to know the joy that was felt that silent night in the stable.

The greatest gift came just for you.,

Shannon