Christmas time can be hard for many people, I knew this fact before, but in the recent years I understand it more fully. Even ‘joyful’ things can be very hard, going though another Christmas with empty arms is sad. And there are many other forms of loss that make this season painful. Its beautiful when we as the church can realize this and come along side those who are going though difficult things, maybe to just be with them. Often we think to help someone we have to do something – or do the ‘right thing’. but a simple invitation to a game night or just being there, reminds us that we are seen.
Joy to the World, Christmas is celebrating the Joy that came to the world as a baby, that would later die on a cross for our sins. This babies birth is joy, the idea of celebrating a birth can bring weird tensions for someone dealing with infertility or just lost their own baby. Can there be joy this season? will we always be reminded of the baby that we lost? there is definitely sorrow as we think about the simple fact of the season, but if we think about the bigger picture – a savior – that gives us true joy!
This past Sunday at church Joy was the theme for advent. One song that we sang was I’m Trading my Sorrows the second verse goes like this:
I’m trading my sickness
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord
notice our action required to lay it down, we need to be able to give it to the Lord so that he can give us Joy. I found this verse very meaning full as I am dealing with both sickness and pain this Christmas season and I can choose to lay them down so I can experience the Joy of the Lord.
I recently was listening to a podcast called Held by Abbey Wedgeworth (this is a really good podcast!!), she asked one of her guest what a good verse to memorize for a women dealing with the lost of a miscarriage. She suggested Psalms 90:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
wow, this is such a powerful verse, asking God to reveal to us how satisfying his steadfast love is! and when we understand this then we can truly have joy and rejoice and be glad all our days. I truly believe that when we can fully understand Gods love for us we can live in full Joy, because our outlook is no longer dictated by our situation but by understanding the fact that we are loved by a father that was willing to send his son to die for our sins!
I hope that you can experience Joy this Christmas season, and extend grace to those who find it difficult.
A personal update on my journey: I had a diagnostic surgery this week to determine the next steps to treat my endometriosis. The surgery went well and we are looking forward to hearing the results. Thanks for your encouragement and prayers.