In church, last Sunday, we prayed for people whose Christmas is colored by sadness. People like the family of the Evans, Co. officer killed in the line of duty. Like the mother whose child was the victim of a hit-and-run driver in November. Like the dads whose sons are serving overseas. Like the beautiful teenager who looks into the mirror and sees failure and ugliness.
No one has a corner on sadness. Not me and not you.
People, especially we Christians, tend to pontificate at this season about how we need to get our eyes off our troubles and onto the Savior. He came to give us joy, we tell all the sad-faced, teary-eyed people we meet. And it's absolutely true.
But I remember so well my first Christmas without my son...how my heart reacted to those messages when they were aimed at me. It shriveled. It hardened. And it whispered to my spirit, "They have no idea how dark our world is at Christmas."
You see, faith without works is dead. And dead things can not warm cold hearts nor encourage failing hopes. Oh, the words are true enough, but the life is in the Spirit. Dead words delivered to a drowning soul will not save them from the "sorrow that rolls like sea billows."
But a smile will, even without words. A hug might, if it is given at the right time. And empathetic silence covers a multitude of well-intentioned but ill-delivered platitudes. A bag of groceries delivered anonymously. A gift certificate to eat out. A giving of whatever it is you have to give.
And the prayer. Because ultimately at Christmas, as at all times, God asks us to partner up with Him in loving his world.
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