Blue Christmas

Christmas is not a happy event for many this year…

My heart is heavy as I read the numbers of people who have died each day. This number are only those with Covid-19 on the death certificate but does not include others who have died from other causes. 5 people were known to me personally. At least 64,000 families will be grieving this Christmas. But we need to look behind all the glitter, tinsel and TV and see afresh the baby in the manger who grew up in a poor, marginalised household and experienced life as we do.

Jesus had a close friend called Lazarus who became very ill. When he received the news, he was 16 miles away. Jesus and his disciples travelled back to Bethany to see the family but…

John 11 v17-19 When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead. Bethany was near Jerusalem, only a couple of miles away, and many of the Jews were visiting Martha and Mary, sympathizing with them over their brother.

Mary greeted Jesus with a rebuke through her tears…

John 11 v32-36 Mary came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet, saying, “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. He said, “Where did you put him?” “Master, come and see,” they said.  Now Jesus wept. The Jews said, “Look how deeply he loved him.” (The Message)

“When Jesus was confronted by a grieving Mary, he didn’t tell her she had nothing to be unhappy about, he didn’t try to assure her that somebody else always has it worse, he didn’t tell her that her pain was insignificant in comparison with the eternal glory that awaited her brother. When Mary cried to Jesus at the loss of her brother, Jesus was troubled, and then he wept.

We know that Lazarus was later raised from the dead (John 11 v38-44) and the joy that accompanied this miracle must have been unimaginable, but the pain Mary and others experienced prior to that moment was searing, and Jesus acknowledged it.

In 2020, we know that things will change, and while we don’t know exactly when that might happen, we hope for the day we can be safely reunited with each other. Until that time comes, know that God acknowledges your loss, is moved by your pain, and weeps alongside you. He says in Matthew 11 v28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.

You have nothing to be ashamed of this year if the ‘Christmas spirit’ feels just out of reach. For those of us recently plunged into Tier 4 and had our Christmas plans rearranged, we just need to hold onto hope. After the darkness of night, the new day dawns. Joy is coming, and until then, we wait.

Inspired by Patch Davies https://thebrokenchurch.net/2020/12/14/joy-is-coming/ used with permission.