Bittersweet Christmas, Joyful Easter

Merry Christmas! I know that tomorrow is the Big Day, but this will be my last opportunity to offer my greetings to you.  It has truly been a busy season for me, but that is nothing different. Churches are going and blowing in December.  There are parties and dinners and musical specials. Tonight we will celebrate Communion at our church.

            In addition to church activities, my wife and I always take in a show or two. This year we saw (and heard) the Vienna Light Orchestra in Jacksonville, and made our annual trip to the Savannah Theatre for their Christmas Tradition. We have a granddaughter who has a December birthday, and our anniversary was Monday.  So, we keep on the go most of the month.

            Back in the day we travelled. We lived in Indiana and Michigan from 1991 to 2005, so we spent many a day on I-75 headed to and from family.  Was it hard? Sure. But was it worth it? I wouldn’t have had it any other way. The precious memories with my parents will stay with me for the rest of my life.

            I do remember that first Christmas without Mom.  She passed away in April of 2005.  My family moved from Michigan to Pembroke in July, so Thanksgiving and Christmas were the first two events without her. A friend let us use his house on Hilton Head for Thanksgiving. It was good to be away from Mom’s kitchen.

            But Christmas was at Dad’s home. My wife and sister worked away in Mom’s kitchen without her voice giving instructions on what to do next.  We enjoyed plenty of laughter and good food. But we also shed a few tears.

            The holidays are like that. We enjoy so much of it. But there are memories that are bittersweet.  There’s an empty chair. There is a voice missing.

            Can I just tell you what it is that gives me the most hope during the Christmas season? It is the reality of Easter. It is the resurrection. Jesus walked out of the grave alive. And because He is alive, we will one day be raised ourselves. He has promised that, and He is good at keeping His promises.

            I pray that you will have a joyful Christmas Day. And I pray that you know the joy of Easter. Merry Christmas!