Merry Christmas!

Luke 1:14:  He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.

This Christmas Eve’s travels brought this message across the radio, “This Christmas, I have a full house.” The message struck me, so I had to discontinue what I was doing to share my thoughts. I wasn’t going to post a blog about Christmas this year. I haven’t done many posts at all in the past months. 

You see, my house isn’t full this year. My kids are grown. My husband and I live far away from our kids and grandchildren. The holidays are generally celebrated early or late. Every year is funky trying to learn holidays without a full house. This year has been incredibly challenging. There is a place in my heart that is emptier this year. Rather than merriment, my Christmas post this year is a memorial to every person my family has loved and lost in the past year. 

In addition to the loved ones we have lost, the family has dealt with illness. A diagnosis of dementia, a heart attack, skin cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, diagnosis of Lupus, kidney replacement, knee replacement surgery, a broken leg… Shall I continue? It doesn’t even touch the tip of the iceberg. So this Christmas is quiet. This Christmas is a time to reflect on why, in spite of a very difficult year, my family and I are okay.

Why are we okay? Why are we not depressed or angry? Because of Christmas! Because of the birth of Jesus Christ, and his subsequent death and resurrection, my family has hope. Each loved one who has passed away had given his or her life to Jesus as their savior. Each one who has battled illness this year also believes in the hope and saving grace of Jesus. That’s why we are okay.

Of course, we are sad and grief is complicated in so many ways. But according to Luke 1:14; “many will rejoice because of his birth.” I rejoice! My family rejoices! We have said goodbye for a moment, but because of the birth of Jesus Christ, we rejoice! I rejoice! I will see my loved ones again in heaven. I rejoice because we don’t have to be afraid of illness and death. I rejoice because the birth of Jesus Christ has given us hope and a future! (Jeremiah 29:11).

For those who don’t have this hope at Christmas and all year every year, pray this prayer.

Lord, I thank You for coming to earth so You could redeem me. When I think of the extent to which You were willing to go in order to save me, it makes me want to shout, to celebrate, and to cry with thankfulness. You love me so much, and I am so grateful for that love. Without You, I would still be lost and in sin. But because of everything You have done for me, today I am free; my life is blessed; Jesus is my Lord; Heaven is my home, and Satan has no right to control me. I will be eternally thankful to You for everything You did to save me! I pray this in Jesus’ name!

Prayer by Rick Renner