Before the first Christmas, Jesus’ coming was just a future event – a promise that would come true someday. HOPE was all the people had to cling to.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6
What a glorious promise that gave people HOPE! As we know, Jesus did come, walk the earth, die for us, and rise again. Our HOPE for eternity is assured. Many times, especially when we lose loved ones, we cling to that eternal promise.
But Jesus also taught us:
“I am come that they might have life and that they might
have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
So, how do we live more abundantly when we face major loss? My three siblings and I had to face the loss of our mother a few months ago. Where is “life more abundant” when facing that kind of deep, deep loss?
Paul writes:
“..so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do,
who have no HOPE.”
I Thessalonians. 4:13
So, what is our superpower? How do we survive the crushing loss? No one goes through life without pain and suffering. The Bible teaches us that our resource is each other. As the body of Christ, we come together to form a community of love and support. In the past several weeks, Anne and I have felt the warm embrace of our church family. Being with others who have been through the experience of great personal loss and who share the HOPE of eternity makes grieving a different experience than for those without this support. I am blessed to have not had to walk the path of grief alone.
Our HOPE is not just for eternity but every day through the Christ that was foretold, born, lived, died, and rose again for us. We, this body of believers, this family of God, make living life more than just survivable. It makes us thrive through all of life’s ups and downs. We stand on this promise:
“…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
Romans 8:37
So, this Christmas, let us rightly participate in the annual celebration of Jesus’ coming to dwell among us. Let us also celebrate daily our church family.
Chuck Lawrence
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