Having spent the last few days so bluntly reminded that Christmas is a difficult season for parents grieving the loss of a child, it struck me that the journey along the path of grief can lead us right to the birth of a very special Christmas child. This meditation/prayer/observation is a written reminder of the reason for the season. -Marsha
Even though I don’t have all my presents wrapped, even though my husband still has more lights to hang on our house – this year I am especially grateful for Christmas. In the wake of my daughter's death, this one thing I know, now more than ever – we need Christmas.
When I say that, I don’t mean that we need all the parties and packages. Not the trees and the ornaments, the wreaths and the Santa display – as beautiful as they are.
I don’t mean we need wrapping and the giving – though it is a wonderful way to show your loved ones how grateful we are for them.
When I say we need Christmas what I mean is that we need this event, this remembrance, this reminder of Jesus’ life – the advent, the arrival, of God with us – we need Christmas because in times like this, when the realities of life have cut us so deeply, Christmas answers questions.
Losing a child often results in a very close evaluation of a person's spiritual beliefs. Christmas represents the prime example of our own child's spirit stepping into the world and shining a miraculous light in our lives, like the story of Jesus' birth.
Jesus’ birth – The light and promise of everlasting love and life, made flesh. His life story and His promise that God loves us, forgives us, and promises that our soul's journey will never end.
Jesus’ birth in the manger, poor and alone, answers the question, “Has God forgotten me?” No, God has not forgotten. There is no place too far, too hard to reach, for the light of love to shine on you.
Jesus’ birth – his life of healing and teaching and service, answers the question, “Will God leave me broken?” No, we have the choice to select our path. Whether in this life, or in the life to come, our spirit will continue to grow. And we will rejoin our children.
Jesus’ birth – his sacrifice, his death, his victory over death, over darkness, answers the question, “Is there hope, and release, and rescue?” Yes, the way to life as intended for all of us – life of peace, joy, for all time, life lived with faith in seeing our loved ones again allows us to celebrate.
No matter what our circumstances, whether we’re ready or not – Christmas comes, because we are meant to remember. There is much more to our existence than this earthly journey.
Christmas represents the light for hope, for life beyond this broken world.
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