Leading up to Christmas this year, I found myself ever-busy with plans for our winter conference and trying to get all done before flying home to be with my family. Two weeks ago, my Dad called telling me that my maternal grandmother had passed away. Plans changed and I flew to the West Coast for her funeral. I still feel that I haven't taken adequate time to sit and reflect on this loss. Though the reality hits me in unexpected moments and I experience a mixture of emotions... Tremendous sadness and great joy.
My grandmother loved Jesus and faithfully walked with him though her years in Russia/Ukraine, in Germany, into Austria, across the world in South America and then through the remainder of her life spent in the United States. Her story is quite remarkable and maybe I'll share more about her someday. I rejoice that she is with Jesus today - what a way to celebrate his birthday! She is experiencing the LIVING hope that he came to bring humankind.
To me, it's a special Christmas. Without Jesus, what would I have to celebrate? His life represents the hope I am able to have for the future as I recognize that it's not simply about the things that I see, but the unseen... the hope of Heaven and all that comes as a result... reconciliation, forgiveness of my sin, and new life! My grandmother is experiencing this firsthand today and I rejoice in the midst of my grief that she is free from the suffering and brokenness of our world. She is with Jesus. What a very Merry Christmas!
