Merry In Our Mourning 2024

While the holidays can be exciting for many it is a hard time for many. Christmas will never be the same without my Dad. I pray for those of you hurting, some for your “first” Christmas without a loved one, some still missing someone, and some hurting for other reasons. The secular world shows us a version of hope that includes warm fires, beautiful trees, families that love each other, families and friends gathered and laughing, etc. If that is what you want watch a Hallmark movie! That is not where our hope comes from!

No matter our circumstances, we have a hope we can hold on to forever! That little baby born in a manger over 2000 years ago is coming again! John 14: 3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” And if we are told that then it will happen. Instead of dwelling on the negative I tried to look at Christmas as precious time, a time of simplicity, to reflect on the most precious person in our life, Jesus Christ. He is with us. Psalm 34: 18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” When we focus on Him, we will have peace, no matter how different the holidays may be. Philippians 4: 7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus knows all of our emotions and has experienced them as a human. He knew he would have a short life and a painful death. Jesus felt the merry when He left the agony of the cross to be reunited with His Father. Mary felt the merry when she learned her Son was the Savior! I feel merry when I think about being reunited with Dad! Psalms 30:5 says, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Of course, it doesn’t literally mean tomorrow but it assures us that there WILL be a time of joy even during our trials. I pray you have merry in your mourning!