It’s Christmas

It’s here again and so soon. It’s Christmas. I think this year I’m having a hard time, more than ever before. It’s always been enough for me that my kids get to come here, that we are together for Christmas. This year is no exception; God has blessed us with the ability to have all three here for a bit. And yet, I still find myself sad. I’ve never before really understood being sad at Christmas. I mean, I’ve always understood logically—especially when grieving the presence of loved ones who can’t be with you. But I never really felt it.

This year I find myself incredibly nostalgic, weeping during Christmas carols, longing for… something. I miss the parades, the cantatas, carolers, snow, ice skating, and hot chocolate. I miss the get-togethers with friends and the many church services and events. I don’t miss the busyness and yet, I do. I pulled up a favorite song on YouTube and watched it performed by a church choir. The camera panned out to an audience sitting in pews respectfully enjoying an incredibly meaningful song sung by a skilled vocalist. I miss sitting in those pews.

But I can’t go home. I can’t return to that ever again really. Yes, I could buy a plane ticket and physically go to all of those events, but it will never be the same for me. You see, what I noticed most about those pews were the empty seats. My heart aches because there are so many people everywhere who will not be celebrating Christmas. They may hang stockings, watch Hallmark movies, and exchange gifts, and do it all without ever celebrating Christmas.

Here, in this part of the world, most people have no idea that a perfect loving God, the same One who created the universe, put a plan into effect that would unite us with Him. They have no idea that the Lord promised to deliver us from darkness and bring us into His glorious light. They have no idea that the very Word of God, His promise became flesh and was born to a virgin girl. That His arrival was heralded by angels, that He was worshipped by both simple shepherds and wisemen of influence. So many people have no idea that God came to be with us, to live and make His home with us, our Emmanuel.

Here in this part of the world (and I suspect in your part too), people are still searching for peace, longing for deliverance, looking for light, when Salvation is already at hand because the Light of the World, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father has come into this world, paid our debt, set us free, and abides in us still. Why are so many still searching? Because no one has told them.

I will never look at an empty seat the same way again. An empty seat represents a person who has not heard and has not received God’s greatest gift of love. It represents someone who cannot really celebrate Christmas.

Beloved friends, as you celebrate, please don’t forget those who cannot come to the party simply because they haven’t been invited. Extend and invitation this Christmas, not just for a seat in your pew, but for a place in the Kingdom at the table of Grace.