This past January my paternal grandfather (Pawpaw) died; he was a few weeks shy of being 93. Growing up my family would spend every other Christmas with my Pawpaw and Grammy. We would go to their house and share a huge meal together, build a fire in their fireplace, and all of the grandkids would show off our new toys to one another. On the mantle Grammy had little toy blocks with letters on them that spelled out N-O-E-L, which we always rearranged to spell L-E-O-N. Of course the highlight was opening presents. And the best part was watching Pawpaw open presents. He literally always received the same thing every year: white socks and white V-neck undershirts. The great thing is that he always seemed surprised, like he had forgotten that he had received that same exact gift for who knows how many years.
Though it has now been many years since I spent Christmas with my Pawpaw it has hit me recently that this will be my first Christmas that he has not been alive. The holidays can often be some of the most difficult days of the year for those of us who have lost loved ones. We miss them more intensely, we remember them more fondly, and we long for them more deeply. And so the holidays can often be when the sting of death is most felt.
Embedded in the heart of the second verse of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing we find the following lyrics: “Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.” In these words we are reminded of the joy and hope and peace that comes through Jesus arriving upon the earth. He was born in order to conquer death. Through the “second birth” that he offers when we receive his death and resurrection by faith, we are united to him not only in his defeat of sin and death, but also to him in his everlasting life. Just as he was resurrected, we too have the sure and certain promise of being resurrected.
For those who may feel the painful sting of death this season, may we remember that it is temporary. And may we take comfort that one day it will be completely eliminated, never to be felt again. This is the good news of the gospel that Advent helps us to anticipate. So may we wait well for the eternal kingdom that Christ will establish for us when he returns. And may we continue to pray: “Lord come quickly!”
Ben
monthly resources
Below are some articles I’ve run across this past month that you may find helpful: