Joy and Sorrow at Christmas

This Christmas is a little different for me than most. With the passing of my mom this past Sunday and her funeral service yesterday, it seems the joy of Christmas has become mixed with the sense of sorrow and grief that I am yet feeling over her death.  Although I will continue to celebrate Christmas—after all, it is still the remembrance of our Savior’s birth—in the back of my mind and recesses of my soul there is a twinge of pain. 

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way.  For countless people, the Christmas season is not always a season of joy.  Many, as they gather around their dinner tables, will be struck by the fact that their child, parent, loved one or friend is no longer there to celebrate with them. Others are feeling the pain of loneliness or the emptiness that seems to surface during a holiday season such as this.  Some will find themselves in hospital rooms, some in nursing homes, others in prisons—not exactly places where one plans to celebrate Christmas. 

 

If you think about it, the Christmas story is one that is a mix of joy and sorrow. Yes, there was the joy that a Savior, the Messiah, had been birthed into our world. It’s no wonder that the angels lit up the sky, that shepherds left the manger rejoicing, that the magi offered their gifts.  The birth of Jesus was filled with “good news of great joy.”  Nonetheless, the story of Christmas was wrapped in the pain of Roman oppression, the long and difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the lack of an adequate place for the birth of this baby and thus, his birth in a stable. Mary and Joseph would, for the rest of their lives, be questioned regarding their integrity—after all, who would have really believed their story? Then there was the sudden flight to Egypt to save this baby’s life. Finally we know in retrospect, the whole story points in one direction: towards a cross!

Yes, the story of Christmas is one that is filled with joy, a joy that we must not miss. It’s a joy that we must capture and allow to inspire our faith. But, we must not gloss over the pain and sorrow that is mixed with that joy, for if we do we fail to understand the full meaning of Christmas. For surely this One who was born on Christmas was born as “a man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3) who is able to sympathize and empathize with us in all of our weakness (Hebrews 4:15). He came as a Savior who knew how to weep, who felt deeply for those in need, and came alongside those who were grieving. Jesus, that child in a manger, was God taking on flesh and thus taking on the pain of our world and feeling our sorrow, all to let us know how much he truly does love us; all to make a way of salvation for we who were lost in our sin.  

So, today as I approach this Christmas just after the loss of my own mother, I am determined to yet celebrate the birth of a Savior who understands my sorrow, walks alongside of me in my grief, and who has promised us a kingdom wherein there will be no more tears, sorrow, pain, or death. And, I want to encourage you to do the same, no matter what is taking place in your life. After all, Jesus is God with us in both the joys and sorrows of life!  So, let’s celebrate our Savior!

Have a great day! And, Merry Christmas!

Pastor Tim Harris