Hope in the Holidays

This time of year can be so difficult when you are grieving. The holidays are times when we gather with family and when a family member is missing, the pain sometimes seems unbearable. Last Christmas was so hard without our twins and I know that many of you are facing the holidays for the first time with a hole in your heart.

How can we find hope and stay away from the pits of bitterness and anger and despair that seem all around us? I think we need to remember the whole Christmas story. When we think of Christmas, we think of babies, particularly the baby Jesus. This can be really hard when we are suffering the loss of a precious little one. What we forget is the whole story...

The Father sent His Son to earth knowing He would die a tragic death, executed though innocent, tortured though undeserving, suffering for sins He would never commit. Our dear Father knows grief and loss. He understands our pain and He loves us. He loves us so much He sent His Son to suffer in our place, to die for our sins, that we may live. When you remember the whole story, it takes the emphasis off the little newborn to the grandest story of all - The Creator who died for his Creations.

Please, throw yourself into His arms this season. He won't make light of your grief, but He will wipe away your tears. This season, let's keep our eyes on the end of the story, and the end of the story isn't the Cross... It's the eternal life we will share with our little ones where there is no more death, no more pain, no more loss. Look at the Christmas tree and think about how it's evergreen nature reminds us of eternal life and the lights of the Light of the World. Look at the wreaths and remember the circle is a sign of life everlasting and the red bows can remind us of the blood shed to give us that life. Look at the holly and think of the thorns that hurt Him and the blood He shed for us. There is so much in Christmas to remind us of the incredible love of our Savior.

May He wrap you all tight in His arms and wipe away your tears during this holy-day season.