Merry Christmas, everyone!
I thought I might offer some words of encouragement today. I know today is not easy for some. I know the last few years have been straining, but 2023 has been particularly difficult, and it seems like many are going through difficult circumstances of many different kinds. I have heard from several people in my life who are hurting this year, and it has made the holidays almost unbearable. My heart goes out to all of you, and I know you have been praying for me too. I ask for you to continue those prayers as I do so for you. This year has been transformative to say the least.
On the 23rd, within the span of a couple hours, a family member had passed, the child of a friend was shot looking at Christmas lights, another person’s mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and I learned another friend was greatly struggling medically. It had me asking my sister, “What is happening to everyone?” This was in addition to other issues I learned some people were suffering with. Then, I had a couple events happen that gave me some hope.
First was the poem, “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I encourage you to read the entire poem. Before its composition, Longfellow’s wife had succumbed to injuries incurred from a fire that also left him scarred. His son was then injured fighting for the Union in the Civil War. The poem is about suffering during Christmas when you expect to be joyous and wondering where God is in it all of it. It was a reminder that people have suffered just like us, and we are not alone.
Next, I recently came into a collection of old family films going back nearly 90 years and had them all digitally converted. Watching family members from several generations having Christmas celebrations throughout the decades reminded me of some important truths and scriptures that may help us have hope. I made an edit of some of my favorite clips for my family to view on this post.
None of us are exempt from pain and suffering. Many of the people in these videos went through incredible circumstances themselves. They were not exempt from the pains of war, finances, betrayal, disease, divorce, death, and the like. Arguably, they went through worse events than us. I cannot imagine going through Spanish Flu, WWI, The Great Depression, and WWII in addition to all of the normal trials of life.
These videos reminded me of what is really important: Love.
The biblical authors were no different, and I understand these scriptures with much more depth now. Joseph, Job, Samuel, Samson, David, and even Jesus were not exempt from trials and betrayals. There are several scriptures that have greatly helped me. Job 23:10 (Matthew 16:24), Psalm 46:10, Lamentations 3:28, Isaiah 60:22, Psalm 97:12, Matthew 6:25-33, Luke 10:27, and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
For me, it means to not derive my happiness out of anything on Earth. Just like many of the things and people in these videos, everything passes eventually. Choosing the vain things that the world offers only leads to despair and bitterness. We choose to follow God’s will, no matter what it is. Our joy comes from Christ, the only constant, and the only fulfillment. Delighting in Him provides us with His strength to endure. Every blessing He so chooses to give from His grace and our labors is icing on the cake for our enjoyment. We then expect that trials will happen. The enemy will afflict, and hard times will come. I now hold onto Job, and when that fire comes, I choose to become better from it and not bitter. I embrace the suffering and choose to come out of that fire as gold, remaining faithful. In tough times, I do as David did: Be still and turn to prayer. Get whatever help you need, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Finally, let it transform your love into the love in 1 Corinthians 13, and help someone else pick up their cross. Do not let your suffering end with you, but let it turn into a blessing for yourself and someone else. Even Jesus had Simon of Cyrene to help carry His cross. We all need help. Ask for help and choose to help others. Love, help, forgive, and ask forgiveness.
Love is really the only thing that transcends time. Eventually, I know I will be a forgotten face on a video just like these, but the love we pass on remains in our friends and families. Hold onto each other, help each other pick up your crosses, forgive each other for one another’s mistakes, and love each other unconditionally.
“Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”