Growing up the eldest of seven, with a mom, dad, both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles and countless cousins, Christmas time for me was anticipated with immense excitement! We had our traditions, which included lots of delicious food, gift giving and jubilant family get-togethers. I guess when you’re young you somehow imagine it will go on forever. But it doesn’t. It can’t. Change is inevitable.
Looking back, there were two things that really set “change” in motion for me; they were the death of my father, followed quickly by the sale of our family home. My Dad’s presence was larger than life and without question his absence most prominent. And though it had been years since I actually lived at the old homestead, each visit lead me to suspect a huge part of my heart remained there.
When our “sacred” traditions are no more, well-meaning folks often tell us to start making new ones. Of course it’s never that easy; especially when our hearts are tender with a fresh wound brought on by a recent change or loss.
What would happen if this year at Christmas instead of hopelessly focusing on the painful changes in our lives that disrupt our joyous “traditions” we began intently focusing upon the one who never changes, the One whose very existence is the meaning of Hope?
Jesus Christ, the incarnate God, creator of the universe and of all life, left His perfect, holy heavenly home to be born into this world of dysfunction and sin. Why? – To pursue the will of the Father. His life’s mission was to serve others and to save us sinners from a death penalty far more horrendous than our own comprehension. Willingly, He went to the cross to offer hope to all who would believe. A Hope that say’s- “If you trust in Me you will make it!” A Hope that say’s- “Whatever you are going through, I am with you!” A Hope that says- “I’m giving you a future full of hope!” And a Hope that say’s- “Right now I am preparing a place for you in Heaven and when the time is right I’m coming back for you so we can be together for all eternity!”
Try as we may to pass down enduring traditions, change will always be a given. The way to move past the heartache of change and loss is more profound than the simple replacement of traditions. We will rise above anything when our hope is grounded on the solid rock of our never changing God. His hope doesn’t point us to the past, but to the future; a most magnificent future, where we’ll take our seat alongside a family of believers to dine at the banquet of all banquets, in perfect fellowship with our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ!
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24)
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