The Dark Side of Christmas
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Matthew 2:16
Christmas is a time of joyous celebration! Well, for most people anyway. But for some it's a time of pain.
I can't imagine the sheer agony the mothers of Bethlehem experienced as their sons were torn from them and killed. Matthew 2:18 describes it this way: A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more. Personally, I can't even allow my mind to go there because the grief is just too overwhelming.
Yet, these women weren't the only ones to ever grieve during the Christmas season. As I look around me I see grief and heartache in many faces. My aunt and my neighbor are both experiencing their first Christmas without their spouses. A friend is spending her Christmas season in the hospital battling Multiple Sclerosis and a rare form of cancer. Another friend knows the pain of advanced Crohn's disease and yet another battles breast cancer. Several friends have fallen on hard times financially. One dear one is separated from her husband and uncertain what the future holds. And one close friend is spending Christmas with her son who will deploy to Iraq right after the holidays.
Sometimes as we enjoy the festivities of Christmas it's easy to forget that everyone might not have that same spirit of celebration. Some people may find this Christmas hard to endure. While we might not be able to remove their pain, we can take time to reach out, to offer time and love, and to listen and encourage. Let's make it a point this season to notice the hurting people around us. Isn't that what Jesus would do?
Pray: Father, open our eyes to see the hurting and the needy around us. Help us to do what Jesus would do for them this year, so that even in their weeping, they may know your great love.
Ponder: Look around you. Who is hurting? Help them.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. II Corinthians 1:3-4
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1
December 4, 2008
Christmas Devotion # 7
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5 comments:
This list of people hurting in my church, in my neighborhood, is growing every day. At one time, it seemed like it was just a few folks....now, everyone has a story to share.
Perhaps this truly is a call for all of us to embrace one another in Christian love this season, in a way we haven't thought before.
Wise words for pondering you have here....
Bonita - you are spot on....there is another side of this that we need to think of. Beautiful post.
And now we want to know your good news that you whispered to the Nester. :)
So true. I have a friend that just entered hospice. 33 years old. One day I hope I'll understand.
Beautiful post Bonita. Thanks for the reminder to pray for sensitivity to those around us. Have a blessed weekend.
What a gentle well written reminder. Thank you God for this precious servant who shares with the world your Heart.
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