Grief at Christmas

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears… The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  Psalms 34:4-18

Christmas can be a time of sheer joy, yet it can also be a time of great pain.  I was recently affected by the story of a woman who couldn't stop sobbing over the loss of her daughter as the holidays approached.  She tried to put on a brave face for her healthy sons, but even three years later the grief of losing her only daughter—and along with her, many dreams—was difficult to bear. 

Contrary to what some secular counselors might think, God's word teaches there's little peace in death.  But there is hope in Jesus Christ.  You see, that's what Christmas is all about—God's love coming in the form of a small baby to bring hope to a lonely and broken world.  If you're grieving or know someone who is struggling this season, look to the true story of Christmas and find hope. . . hope God gave us in the baby, our redeemer, Jesus Christ! 

"The first hope in our inventory ― the hope that includes and at the same time transcends all others ― must be the hope that love is going to have the last word."
- Arnold J. Toynbee (1889-1975)