Blue Christmas

“Because of the tender mercy of our God, the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  Luke 1:78-79

On the day before Christmas break, this mean math teacher gave a test. My students requested tunes while they toiled, so I obliged, hoping music might inspire them to excel—but the first song up was “Blue Christmas.”  I had never paid much attention to the words, but yesterday I really listened.

I'll have a Blue Christmas without you;
I'll be so blue just thinking about you.
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't be the same if you're not here with me.

Elvis was crooning of lost love, but the lyrics hold even more true for those who have lost loved ones. Instead of hugs and happiness, your holidays will be filled with sorrow and sadness, and the good times will be tinged with grief.  As the celebration and excitement of the season brews and builds, my heart is heavy for friends who face an empty place at the table.  My meager words will do little to heal the hole in your hearts, but the undeniable fact that Christ has come offers unshakable hope.

The reason for your pain is the reason He came—“To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet in the path of peace”(Lk 1:79).  Every moment since the fall of man, physical and spiritual death held terror over mankind, making our days dark and our nights long.  Separated by sin from the God who made us, our lives seemed fraught with futility and our funerals reeked with finality.  But through the Law and the prophets, God kept giving glimmers and sending assurance that one day One would show up who would shatter the chains and set us free.

And He came on Christmas day.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.

This Christmas, if a seat at your table is empty, remember that the tomb is too—and take hope.

“O, tidings of comfort and joy.”