Christmas

The Last Word

I started cleaning house tonight, getting ready for family to come celebrate an early Christmas. Dusting the nativity scene, I stopped to pause and think about that little baby in the manger and the sole reason He was born. He was born to be the Savior for you and me.

If you’re missing a loved one due to health issues, or you’re about to lose someone, remember that cancer didn’t have the last word—God did. As our friend Tom Wohlgamuth said at the graveside service, “Chris didn’t lose his battle with cancer. Cancer lost its battle with Chris. When the cancer conquered his body, the cancer stopped living. It died. Forever. But Chris lives because Jesus conquered sin and death for us!”

Grief During the Christmas Season

This time of year has become a time of emotional struggle for me over the last three years. With Chris’ birthday in mid-November, followed by Thanksgiving and then Christmas, I really miss him during this season more than the rest of the year, simply because this is a time to be shared with those you love the most. I still haven’t been able to put up a Christmas tree because it would be a constant in-my-face reminder that Chris is missing. It was our annual tradition to take a family photo in front of the Christmas tree every year.

A dear friend suggested I read the Book of Luke in the Bible. There are 24 chapters about the life of Christ—from birth through his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. “If you read one chapter a day, that will take you to Christmas day.” It’s a beautiful reminder of what this season is all about.