It's been almost one month since my Uncle Tracey suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. In some ways it still seems so surreal...like the memories from that night are simply images from a hazy nightmare. In other ways the reality barrels into my consciousness with the absolute truth that he is gone. With that revelation comes cascading emotions of sadness and nostalgia...heartache clouds the future while joyful memories sting with salty tears.
I remember the lighthearted teasing and silly nicknames he'd bestow...the incredible length of time he'd spend barbequing to perfection...setting the tent up for the cousins in the backyard for weekend camp outs...card games and dominoes...the hilarious and predictable moment in which he would steal Aunt Pam's gift during White Elephant at Christmas. I own this grief and sorrow for myself in these moments.
But then my mind turns to my aunt and cousins, whose lives are affected in greater degree than my own. They are the ones who miss their companion, confidant, friend, mentor, husband, and dad. They are the ones to muddle through finding a new daily normal. They are the ones facing a year of firsts without him. At this thought, my heart breaks, again.
My mind turns to others I know: parents who have lost a child, children who have lost a parent, siblings who have lost a brother or a sister, and grandchildren who have lost a grandparent. We are not the only family to enter this Christmas season with grief. In some ways it seems almost contradictory to enter this joyful season with sadness, celebrating whilst suffering, and rejoice in the birth of Christ in the midst of the valley of mourning. How can Christmas be Christmas with such sorrow?
Yet the Bible says that Christ has "borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" (Isa. 53:4). And though the familiar joy of the season might be hindered by the absence of our loved one it is for this reason that Christmas exists. The truth of Christmas is that God sent his Son in human flesh to bear all our sins and iniquities and to suffer in our place. Three days later he rose again destroying the power of sin and death. Through faith in Him he offers salvation, forgiveness, and life everlasting. Christmas is the celebration of the death of death because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I take comfort knowing that "neither death nor life...can separate us from the love of God" (Rom. 8:38-39). The message and hope of Christmas is life over death. And though the grief is present in our hearts, Christ promises to turn our sorrow to joy.
So this Christmas season pray for those who mourn. Respect their tears and sadness; offer hope and comfort. Remind them that Christmas means the death of death. And their loved one in Christ celebrates Christmas with them...just in the greater light of God's glory.
In Memory of my Uncle Tracey whose presence will be missed in all the Christmases to come. Yet with tearful smiles I rejoice knowing you celebrate this Christmas in the glorious presence of Jesus Christ in heaven. And to my Aunt Kathy and cousins Tyler and Jordan whom I love and cherish. Not a day has passed that you have not been in my thoughts and prayers. I love you.
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| Uncle Tracey and I |
I remember the lighthearted teasing and silly nicknames he'd bestow...the incredible length of time he'd spend barbequing to perfection...setting the tent up for the cousins in the backyard for weekend camp outs...card games and dominoes...the hilarious and predictable moment in which he would steal Aunt Pam's gift during White Elephant at Christmas. I own this grief and sorrow for myself in these moments.
But then my mind turns to my aunt and cousins, whose lives are affected in greater degree than my own. They are the ones who miss their companion, confidant, friend, mentor, husband, and dad. They are the ones to muddle through finding a new daily normal. They are the ones facing a year of firsts without him. At this thought, my heart breaks, again.
My mind turns to others I know: parents who have lost a child, children who have lost a parent, siblings who have lost a brother or a sister, and grandchildren who have lost a grandparent. We are not the only family to enter this Christmas season with grief. In some ways it seems almost contradictory to enter this joyful season with sadness, celebrating whilst suffering, and rejoice in the birth of Christ in the midst of the valley of mourning. How can Christmas be Christmas with such sorrow?
Yet the Bible says that Christ has "borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" (Isa. 53:4). And though the familiar joy of the season might be hindered by the absence of our loved one it is for this reason that Christmas exists. The truth of Christmas is that God sent his Son in human flesh to bear all our sins and iniquities and to suffer in our place. Three days later he rose again destroying the power of sin and death. Through faith in Him he offers salvation, forgiveness, and life everlasting. Christmas is the celebration of the death of death because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I take comfort knowing that "neither death nor life...can separate us from the love of God" (Rom. 8:38-39). The message and hope of Christmas is life over death. And though the grief is present in our hearts, Christ promises to turn our sorrow to joy.
So this Christmas season pray for those who mourn. Respect their tears and sadness; offer hope and comfort. Remind them that Christmas means the death of death. And their loved one in Christ celebrates Christmas with them...just in the greater light of God's glory.
In Memory of my Uncle Tracey whose presence will be missed in all the Christmases to come. Yet with tearful smiles I rejoice knowing you celebrate this Christmas in the glorious presence of Jesus Christ in heaven. And to my Aunt Kathy and cousins Tyler and Jordan whom I love and cherish. Not a day has passed that you have not been in my thoughts and prayers. I love you.
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