Enduring Grief at Christmas Time
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 158 viewsMessage spoken at the Williams Funeral Community Service
Notes
Transcript
A Different Christmas
A Different Christmas
Christmas is supposed to be a happy and a joyous time, at least that is what most people assume. And yet this is not the case for everyone, especially those who have experienced a recent loss. This year, for many of you, it was the first Thanksgiving and now the first Christmas without your loved one.
With your pain in mind, the staff of Williams Funeral Home and the ministry of Central Schwenkfelder Church have come together to offer this service of recognition. We hope our time together will be meaningful for you. We simply want you to know that others recognize your loss and care for you. Your loved one may be gone, but they are not forgotten.
In the Christian faith, we go to the Lord and His word for wisdom, comfort and insight. So in the next few minutes allow me to share from the Bible and give you some encouragement during this difficult time of year.
GOD CARES FOR YOU IN YOUR TIME OF LOSS.
GOD CARES FOR YOU IN YOUR TIME OF LOSS.
The Psalmist wrote at a difficult time in his life, “Our God is a refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” It is a wonderful thing to know that in your grief, God cares.
King David was a man that experienced many losses. He experienced the death of his dear friend, Jonathan. He endured the passing of many friends on the battle field. And finally, he knew what it was like to bury a child. He lost more than one, but his son, Absalom stands out among the others.
And yet, being a spiritual man, he used such times of grief to reach out to a God who first reached out to him. That’s why we read those famous words in Psalm 23:4:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Human comfort tends to be temporary and flawed. Our dearest friends and family struggle with what to say to us, or if to say anything. In the midst of the pain and awkward-ness, let us never forget that God knows and God cares. Some of you may know that the shortest verse in all of Scripture is found in John 11:35 where it says: “Jesus wept.” But the verse directly after that says much about God’s ability to sympathize with your sorrow. Verse 36: “Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" Remember that God cares for you in your time of loss. Secondly…
JESUS HAS CONQUERED THE GRAVE.
JESUS HAS CONQUERED THE GRAVE.
John 11:25-26:
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
As you reflect on your own mortality, I encourage to you investigate a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus lived for 33 years, then went to the cross and died so that we could be forgiven and our relationship with God could be restored. Then He rose again from the dead, to display His victory over death.
So in the Christian faith, we can be assured that there is life after death. Speaking in reference to his deafness, Ludwig von Beethoven said, “Yes, but I shall hear in heaven.” There is hope for the believer that the disappointments of this world are eclipsed in the next.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
With that said, I want to share with you some practical advice from Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt, who has written an article: “Helping Yourself Heal During the Holiday Season.” Maybe you’ll find these suggestions helpful. First of all, we must realize that love does not end with death.
Holidays will sometimes trigger one’s sorrow. It is important to be tolerant and compassionate with yourself, so as to continue to heal. It is good to embrace your treasure of memories. Memories are one of the best legacies that exist after the death of someone loved. And holidays always make you think about times past. Memories were made in love- no one can ever take them away from you.
BE WITH SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE
BE WITH SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE
Find those persons who encourage you to be yourself and accept your feelings- both happy and sad. It is okay to talk about the person who has died. Don’t be afraid to include the person’s name in your holiday conversation. This may help you and others understand your grief.
DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU DURING THESE HOLIDAYS.
DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU DURING THESE HOLIDAYS.
Focus on what you would like to do, rather than what others have planned for you.
TURN TO GOD IN CHRIST.
TURN TO GOD IN CHRIST.
Explore faith and what it means to trust in Him. It is during the hard times in life that we find as an opportunity to connect with God in a special way. He invites you today. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28:
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Now we will read the names of your loved ones, followed by a chime, that marks their lives and memories. Afterwards, we will have a time of silence.