Thank God for Christmas

I know that some of you are going to spend your first Christmas without a loved one who died this past year. Your hearts are broken and you may even feel that you will never again know the joy of Christmas. I have been there as some of the most significant people in my life have graduated to glory, and I know it’s not easy. However, the Christmas story reminds us that Christ was born for times such as these.

I am thankful for Christmas. Knowing that I still get to celebrate Christmas on earth with all of those I love makes this the most wonderful time of the year.

Christmas still comes to us, there is no hurt deep enough, no atrocity too terrible to stop it, no Herod strong enough; for someone on earth will see the star, someone will hear the angel voices, someone will run to Bethlehem, someone will know peace and goodwill, for some people, Jesus Christ will be born. We must be the ones to listen for the brush of angel wings and look for a star above a little stable. We must be the ones to kneel beside some other shepherd in the hope of catching a glimpse of eternity in a baby’s smile. We must be the ones to thank God for the memories of Christmases past and ask Him to keep them alive not in painful regret but in joyful recollection.

We must keep hope alive that in a few or many more Christmases we will be together again and with our loved ones on the other side; that instead of listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir we will hear the choirs of heaven, that instead of Christmas lights that decorate our homes and streets, we will live eternally in the light of God’s presence and glory, that instead of the Christmas tree, we will behold the Tree of Life and live forever under its branches.

Christmas comes but once a year but Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. What does this mean for us…that God is with us always? It means… He is with us in our hardship, pain, crying, doubt, fear, and struggles… He is with us in our temptations, sin, thoughts, and every action…He is with us when we’re alone, in a crowd, with a friend, or an enemy… He is with us in our joy, achievements, laughter, and blessings. He is with us always.

Yes, during this holiday season there are going to be people all around us who are struggling through life, without the only One who can truly give them life. They need to know that Jesus didn’t only come on Christmas, but that He’s here, and that they can go to Him. Invite them to church with you this holy time of year, so that they may come to experience Emmanuel for themselves. Thank God for Christmas, and the promises it brings.

Have a thankful Christmas,

Pastor Ken