If we happened to be playing a word association game, and I said 'Christmas' you would undoubtedly reply with something cheerful. Words like 'merry' or 'carol' or 'cookie' (yum!) or even 'cheer' itself. And yet, for some people Christmas isn't quite as merry this year as it has been.
Because, let's face it, life is hard lately.
For me personally, the approach of Christmas also means the approach of the one-year mark (Dec 13th) since my precious Daddy met Jesus face-to-face. I know I'm not alone in this struggle, as I have over 30 friends who have lost a parent in 2021 or 2022 - including a few of the other Seekers, too. And while Christmas is still my favorite holiday, my enthusiasm is tempered a bit again this year with grief.
This co-existence of sorrow and joy is something I've been pondering this year, and so it's no surprise that the words of the English carol God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen jumped out at me this year like never before:
TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY
The word 'comfort' implies that there is some sort of sorrow present, doesn't it? The need to be comforted rarely comes without pain or loss or grief. But we sing about those tidings of comfort alongside the tidings of joy without really stopping to realize what we're singing, don't we? Comfort... and the need for it... and joy co-existing? How is that possible?
I love these lyrics from 'Comfort and Joy' by Tasha Layton:
There's no need to keep your tears from falling Sometimes what's most painful are those holidays But Christmas shows that God cares for us deeply The same boy in the manger holds you still today
Because yes, in a few days, it will be one year since my dad left this earthly life and saw Jesus face-to-face. And yet... in 17 days, we will celebrate that same Jesus who was "born that man no more may die". It's the reason i love Christmas so much - it changed everything. And this juxtaposition of 'comfort and joy' MEANS everything. It means that I can laugh with my nephews' infectious giggles when they're trying to keep me from 'memorizing' them with selfies. It means I can smile at the Christmas songs & the decor & the goodies & the presents & the happy memories of past holidays. It means that I can do a happy dance when I *finally* win a game of Munchkin with our older nieces & nephews. And... it means I can have a grief meltdown without being consumed by hopelessness. God knew we would need both comfort and joy in this life, so He sent His Son to make a way for them to co-exist with an assured HOPE that death is not the end.
I am so so grateful for a Savior who enters into our grief with us and says “you’re right, it’s not supposed to be like this and I’ve come to make a way - THE way - for all the sad things to one day be untrue.” Yes, we grieve. We cry. We ache for one more hug, one more conversation. Sometimes we even stay curled up in our car, sobbing, instead of going into the Christmas party we planned to attend. (Ask me how I know this.) But we do not grieve without HOPE. He binds up the broken-hearted and He knows every tear we cry. But He’s also told us the end of the story - the happily ever after made possible because of the Light of the world.
Another song I've come to love lately is Francesca Battistelli's Behold Him:
In your silent night When you're not alright Lift your eyes and behold him Feel the thrill of hope You are not alone In this moment, behold him
Christmas changed everything, y'all. When grief threatens to consume you this season, lift your eyes and behold Him, the Son of God who was 'born that man no more may die'. Can sorrow and joy coexist? Yes! Because Christmas changes everything!!
The moment Jesus was born in that long-ago stable, death ultimately lost its power
for all of us who accept the gift of His death & resurrection.
One of the things that also brings me joy each Christmas season are the banana drop cookies my grandmother made every year - and that my husband now makes in her stead. These are everything lovely and comforting about banana bread... in a cookie!!!
Ingredients
1 & 1/4 cups sugar
2/3 cup shortening
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs, unbeaten
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3)
2 & 1/4 cups sifted, all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
plus (for topping)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Cream sugar, shortening, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs
and beat well. Stir in mashed bananas. Sift flour with baking powder,
baking soda, and salt; add and mix well. Chill 30 minutes (the dough,
not you…. although you can chill too if you’d like lol). Drop by
teaspoonfuls 2″ apart on greased baking sheets. Mix the extra sugar
& cinnamon; sprinkle over unbaked cookies. Bake at 400 degrees for 8
to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.
Enjoy!
Praying you experience His comfort and His joy this Christmas season,
