It’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving has come and gone. You’re playing “Richard’s Christmas Songbook” on Spotify around the clock. Weekends are a flurry of decorating, baking, nativity pageant rehearsals, office parties, and shopping (which, these days, probably looks less like braving the malls and more like scrolling through Amazon!).
But for every person who’s basking in the merriment of the season, there’s someone experiencing a very different set of emotions. The house is a little quieter this Christmas. There’s one less person on the shopping list. The spark of twinkling lights has been dimmed, the hustle and bustle replaced by long periods of quiet reflection through silent tears.
And let’s remember the chair. There’s perhaps no more painful reminder of loss than an empty chair at the Christmas table.
Christmastime, to me, can be compared to an airport. If you ever want to witness the polar extremes of human emotion, just go people-watch at the terminals for a while. It’s home to the most joyful reunions and the most heartbreaking goodbyes, depending on which side of the experience you’re on. Christmas can feel much the same way. For those who’ve never mourned a great loss, this season can be magical. But for those who are in the midst of grief, it can be nothing short of excruciating.
If you’re in the latter group, I won’t pretend to understand the depth of your pain, nor would I ever want to trivialize it with platitudes and trite remarks. But if you’ll allow me, I want to share a favorite piece of Scripture that feels particularly appropriate, as we dedicate this Week of Remembrance to our loved ones who have passed away. It comes from John 14:1-3:
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
When I picture my Father’s house, one of those “many rooms” is the dining room. It’s set with the BIGGEST table my mind can possibly imagine; at the head of the table is the Lord, and in every chair sits someone whom I have loved and lost. It’s a beautiful sight as I imagine so many of my favorite people all in one room – not for one hour or for one day, but for…well…forever! That image doesn’t erase the sadness that I feel over the fact that they’re no longer here with me. But it does bring peace to my soul as I’m reminded that for those who accept Christ’s gift of salvation, their reward extends far beyond their short time here on earth…and instead of being “gone”, they are more alive than ever!
Even as we mourn an empty seat at the Christmas table this season, may we take comfort in knowing there’s a seat at the Heavenly Table for all who put their trust in Jesus Christ – a seat that’s theirs for all eternity. I pray that as we celebrate the birth of the Savior, you may find hope and healing in His presence this Christmas.
