We’ve had three deaths in the congregation during December, making for a busy Advent season with these additional funerals. Death never comes at a convenient time, but for these families, Christmas will forever be associated with a loved one’s death. There will be an empty chair at the table, a missing present under the tree, and one less hug to welcome in Christmas morning.

I remember when my grandfather died while I was in seminary, just as I was coming home for Christmas break.  All the usual festivities were muted as the family said goodbye to our patriarch.

Death never comes at a convenient time.

And yet, my grandfather’s death around Christmas gave me a different perspective that I hope these families also receive this year and the years to come. For at the Christmas Eve worship service at my home church, I remember in the candlelight being a bit reminiscent of my grandfather. He is the one who taught me how to fish.  I caught my first northern pike with him on the banks of the Mississippi with a red and white daredevil. To this day, I still use the knot he taught me when I attach a lure.

Lost in those memories, I almost mouthed the words of the Christmas carols, without really listening to their meaning until. . .until the Holy Spirit stopped me during Hark the Herald Angels Sing and nudged me to pay attention:

           Mild he lays his glory by

            Born that we no more may die

            Born to raise each child of earth

            Born to give us second birth

            Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

            Glory to the Newborn King.

Born that we no more may die? Born to raise each child of earth? Born to give us second birth? Is that what Christmas is all about? It’s not the birth of Jesus, it’s the death of Jesus. It’s not the life of Jesus, it is the resurrection of Jesus. It’s not for his birth, but it is for our second birth, the renewal of the resurrection of us.  And by us, I mean my grandfather.

Oh, I still missed him that Christmas. The grief was real and the empty chair at the head of the table remained empty. But if for this life only we have hoped in Jesus Christ, then we are of all people most to be pitied.

We grieve, as St. Paul tells us, as Christians who put our trust in Jesus and believe in the resurrection, we still grieve, but we do not grieve as those do who have no hope. For ours is a sure and certain hope.

Born that we no more may die

Born to raise each child of earth

Born to give us second birth

 And so, even in our grief, we join the song of the angels, “Glory to the newborn king!”

Peace,

Pastor Scott