I remember sitting in church as a kid and tracing my dad’s hand with my little fingers. They were rough, scabbed, and had the thickest fingers (and thumb!) of muscle I’d ever seen.
My dad’s body has been his best and most useful tool in his life's work. Since he was in his teens, he worked hard, becoming one of the most skilled and hardworking men I’ve ever known. But the work has left a mark on his body. The cold, blustery weather seems to bring all his aches and pains to the surface. It highlights every old injury and muscle strain incurred through the years.
For many of us, the holidays accentuate the aches and pains of our lives, much like the cold weather does to my dad. For some of us, missing a loved one is all we can think or feel. Or, for others, the season makes family discouragements and disappointment all the more amplified.
I’ve lost count, but I think out of the last 13 years, we’ve spent at least half of those Christmases in the ICU with Calvin. No matter how much we hoped and prayed, it seemed warm and lovely holidays were for other people.
Sickness was our lot. Stress was our life. Sorrow was our soup.
Loneliness. Abandonment. Empty.
Much like the people felt before Jesus, when prophecies were distant memories, and the prospect of a king seemed to be fading. The cares of life probably felt more pressing and real than the promises of God.
But. The angels did come, bringing joy and light to empty hearts. Tired hearts. Hopeless hearts. Heavenly messages of peace and joy flooded the hills, and every promise came true as Jesus was born. Praise and favor and rejoicing broke the 400 years of silence.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the year, are met in thee tonight.
“The hopes and fears of all the years” were met in Bethlehem that night. And because of that moment when the Word became flesh, all the aches and pains of our years are carried by him. Today.
He came for us. He will sustain us. He will deliver us.
My dad says he feels worn out and tired. But to me, I see a life that emptied itself for us. I see commitment, hard work, honor, and duty. It’s beautiful. The cold heightens his stiffness and soreness, but it also highlights his love that gave everything to serve our family.
I wonder what the Lord Jesus sees as he dwells with his people living with all the aches and pains of life. I wonder if he is filled with joy as he sees us limping along because he sees the wholeness and restoration he’s working in us. And I wonder if he leans in with anticipation for the day he will deliver us from every sin and ache and pain and wipe every tear from our eyes.
We look back and see his promises coming true in the coming of Jesus.
We limp today but lean on Him, our ever-present help and our certain hope.
We long for the day when He comes again.
Much love from our family to yours as we carry on in weakness, but full of incredible hope and joy in Jesus Christ.
Kara