The Paradox

When everyone is preparing for Christmas and longing for the celebration, some are struggling.
When the songs of the season are heard and sung with joyful anticipation, some close their ears.
When everyone seems Merry but that is not appropriate, some close themselves off.
When sending cards, buying presents, planning meals is on the to-do list, some pull back.

For some, this time of year is very difficult.
Memories close to the surface, seem to bubble up at the wrong time.
Relationships that need mending seem more pronounced in the twelfth month.
Turning the calendar to January just cannot come fast enough for some.

Losing a loved one this time of year is especially difficult.
Like rain on the day of a funeral, death at Christmas time seems harsh and cruel.
Doesn’t death know that December is supposed to be a Merry month?
Is there ever a good time?

A pastor that I know posted a picture of himself and his mother.
I only met her once, though I have prayed for her.
I prayed when I learned that she suffered a heart attack.
She is the mother of five grown children who are married with their own families.

The picture of the two of them warmed my heart.
It was not until later that evening, I learned that this sweet woman had died.
The words that her son posted to inform all of us touched my heart.
They were simple but profound.

As our family sang over our matriarch, we ushered her into God’s presence and joyous reunion with Daddy!

From her obituary:
Her love for Jesus and for people was tangible and contagious, so much so that many people affectionately called her “Mom.” It was always her desire that everyone she met come to know the love of God deeply and personally through a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. Her passion for God expressed through her compelling stories, relevant Bible teaching and songs of worship were trademarks of her life. Her influence for the Gospel is far reaching and her ministry and mission work took her to over 25 nations.

Making God known to everyone she met was the testimony of her life.
Her husband, who was also a pastor, died ten years before her.
She was the grandmother of 17 grandchildren.
She loved to worship God through music.

I wrote something right away while the feelings and thoughts were fresh.
My heart hurts with you, yet my heart rejoices. The paradox of the HOPE we have in Christ.
I have tumbled the thought of that paradox ever since I saw the announcement of her death.
That paradox is the present reality for those who are in Christ.

One day, death will be no more.
One day, death will die.
One day, death will lose its sting.
One day, all because of Jesus.

Hours after I saw the announcement about this precious woman, I read another’s thoughts.
An elementary school friend, with whom I have recently reconnected, wrote her feelings.
She just lost her sweet dog, whom she has loved for many years.
She is distraught; she will miss her sweet dog tremendously.

December is starting to be one of my least favorite months….

I am certain that many people would agree with my grade school friend.
Death stings; death is cruel.
Death does not discriminate.
Death has no regard for the calendar.

When everyone else is celebrating, some people are mourning.
The paradox is real.
There is a now and not yet to our faith.
There is sadness while there is rejoicing.

In Christ, December is a wonderful month.
In Christ, December is when Jesus was born to die.
In Christ, death does not have the final word.
Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection assures us that death will indeed die one day.

We can say with surety that, in Christ, December is a wonderful month.
That is when we celebrate the birth of our Savior.
God the Father determined to send His Son, Jesus, at just the right time.
God the Father determined when it was the right time for our Savior to be born.

Jesus’s birth began the unraveling of death.
Death was not known in the Garden.
Death came as a result of sin.
One day, death will be no more.

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

We have victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The paradox of a hurting heart yet a rejoicing heart is the reality in this fallen world.
One day, there will be no paradox.
One day there will only be the reality of the death of death.

Until then, we wait.
Until then, we mourn and grieve.
However, we grieve with hope when we are in Christ.
Because of Jesus, death does not have the final word.