On Being Merry and Bright

May I poke (just a bit) at the bubble of our levity to acknowledge the breaking hearts this holiday season? Those experiencing soul deep, incomprehensible loss—or perhaps feeling the weight of an indefinable blanket of sadness.

~ A husband grieves the death of his beloved wife. 60 years flashing by like 6, he now dreams of one last touch, one more “I love you.”

~ Sons and daughters across our land struggle to maintain their sobriety. Some living on the streets. Once decorating the Christmas tree with laughter—their presence this year will be deeply missed at the family table.

~ Loved ones with cancer. Lost jobs. The weight of debt. Hungry tummies. Family divisions. War-torn countries—and relationships.

~ A dark cloud called Covid.

~ The price of humanity.

The great sorrows of life feel all the more sorrowful when Christmas bells are ringing and we hear that all is merry and bright. However, the broken heart sings to a different tune which doesn’t sound very merry or bright at all—rather sad and dark and lonely.

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Into this weeping world Jesus was born. The arrival of Light into the dark recesses of this existence. He whispers a song of comfort, of peace to the broken and hurting.

His very name, Immanuel, reassures us of His presence—God forever with us. His light with us in the darkness. His love with us—surrounding, embracing, carrying.

He came into the world and was rejected. His body beaten, abandoned. His heart broken. No one was present to speak words of comfort to His sorrow. Yet it's through His suffering that we are healed. His broken, wounded heart speaks solace, comfort, redeeming love to our broken, wounded hearts. His light sheds hope and peace into the deepest crevices of despair.

He graces us with a new song to sing, a song of celebration and praise to our Lord—this Giver who became the Gift. A song of good news that we sing with great joy, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6

And so today—in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, we just may find ourselves humming “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” Believing that yes, even in our sorrow—all is merry and bright.

Merry Christmas dear, singing friends! 🎄

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“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
Psalm 40:3