Loss is really painful in the holidays.
I was in a boat launching from shore this past summer when I got the call.
My brother-in-law died unexpectedly at 57 just months before we lost dad.
So, our family gathers this holiday season with two vacant chairs.
How do suffering folks cope in the holidays?
“Don’t cry”
That’s what Jesus told a sobbing mother who lost her only son.
“Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’ Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’” Luke 7:11ff
Was this baby God?
Lots of folks probably ask this more than any other time of year.
Can we really believe Jesus said and did these things?
He came declaring, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” But, what is truth?
And then I got to thinking, the truth bearer is the person who is either true or false.
In other words, what does the person delivering the data look like?
Aristotle said that truth is there when there is a match with reality.
Jesus claimed to be God. Does this match the person Jesus was?
“He who has seen me has seen the Father. These words you hear are not my own. They belong to the Father who sent me.” John 14 selected verses
If Jesus was a liar, he’d have all the characteristics of a liar, right?
His whole life would be fraught with contradictions.
But, Jesus lacks the contradictions in unstable people.
Instead, we see love, compassion, desire, anger, sorrow and grief in balance.
- His obsession was truth telling.
- He had no wealth or hedonistic motives.
- His entire life and teaching is at odds with fraud.
“The character of Jesus has not only been the highest pattern of virtue, but the strongest incentive in its practice, and has exerted so deep an influence, that it may be truly said that the simple record of three years of active life has done more to regenerate and to soften mankind than all the disquisitions of philosophers and all the exhortations of moralists.” W. E. H. Lecky, History of European Morals
The miracle of Christmas is history
Jesus is not ordinary.
He was noticed by the world early.
He was referenced in classical writings by . . .
- Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundas
- Seutonius
- Tacitus
- Lucian of Samosata
- Celsus
And then the Jewish historian Josephus (37-100 C.E.) discusses Jesus along with John the Baptist and Jesus’ brother James.
These secular references, of course, are in addition to the gospels, Paul’s letters and the extensive writings of apologists, historians and church leaders.
Christmas was predicted over 400 years prior
God was intent on connecting with us.
Over 400 years in advance the OT prophets record . . .
- the exact time of his arrival
- the place of his birth
- the type of birth
- his line of descent
- his purification of the temple
- multiple details about his death
- his resurrection
And this is only a partial list but easy for you and I to read and examine.
Good news for sorrow
Where does this leave the crushed and brokenhearted?
They can look to the most integrated man there ever was.
By “integrated,” I mean “wholeness.”
In math, “integer” is a number that can’t be divided into fractions. That’s where we get our word “integrity.” Jesus was a whole man. Integrated. Consistent at all levels.
Why does this matter?
Because Jesus places himself at the center of his moral teachings.
He doesn’t say with all the other moral leaders, “this is the truth,” or “truth is everything and I am nothing.”
He says, “I am the truth.”
“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.” John 5:19-21
Soak your emotional pain in the truth of the Son.
How are you coping with loss?
This time of year is always hard. We have known several who have passed in recent months and I grieve for them. But why are the holidays different than any other time? Don’t we always grieve the place they leave? My husband’s uncle passed in Aug and his birthday was Dec 20th. He is the one we mourn the most. I’m sorry for your loss Steve and I pray you find the strength you need from the words of our Lord. They certainly helped me… thanks for sharing!
I think family pain is so prevalent this time of year because the holidays are often where our best memories are etched forever. I’m praying for you and your husband to have comfort and strength in the year ahead. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you, I shared this with a friend going through much loss this season.
Prayers and blessings for your friend Steve.