Untimely Grief

At Christmas, a time full of great expectations of joy, death is an unwelcome visitor. Unfortunately, we have no guarantee that death will bypass the holiday season and choose some other, more “convenient” time.

About three weeks before last Christmas, my only sister died. I was far away at the time and unable to visit her before her death. The previous year, a dear cousin and an aunt had died. So Christmas this year was bittersweet for me as I made plans to return home for my sister’s memorial service.

As I thought of those I have lost these past few years, my parents among them, the words of John 14:2 came to me: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” I then pictured a banquet table set in one of those rooms with my parents, aunts and uncles, a cousin, and my sister — gathered together for a heavenly meal. And at the center of the table sat our Lord. The words of a Christmas hymn came to me: Immanuel, God with us. At Christmas, even in the depths of grief and loss, God promises to be with us as we celebrate our Savior’s birth.