Dave's Blog
Blue Christmas
It’s been a while since I’ve WRITTEN a blog... I enjoy showing you video posts but I need to do a better job at writing out my thoughts. To say the past six weeks has been a roller coaster would be an understatement.
As I shared in a recent sermon Beth’s father, Bob Bowman, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away two weeks later. We were in Israel at the time and said our goodbyes over a cell phone. I’ve never seen an individual go down physically as quickly as he did. Bob was a believer who loved the Lord, and he used his gift of singing to minister to many.
Thanksgiving was different as I’m sure Christmas will be this year as well.
A couple of years ago I preached a sermon in December titled Blue Christmas. During that sermon I talked about the reality that the holiday season can be a tough time for people. It may be due to the recent loss of a loved one, or it could just be the fact that each year there’s still that empty seat at the table due to a divorce, death or the absence of someone who’s serving our country in the military.
Don’t get me wrong, we’ll still have a meaningful Christmas–but in some ways it will be a different one than we’ve had in the past. There will be some moments that bring tears to Beth’s eyes this month. But God is still on His throne and the good news is that because Christ came to earth and 33 years later conquered the grave, we know for sure that we’ll see Beth’s dad again... and that can transform any Blue Christmas.
In case you are anticipating a different holiday season then perhaps these brief excerpts from that old sermon will encourage you or someone else:
You may have relational, physical, emotional, or financial stress... that doesn’t matter. While it may be a Blue Christmas due to circumstances, it can point you to a bigger picture–one of hope and triumph. You see, the Christmas story reveals how we can have joy in the midst of pain, loneliness, grief, or frustration.
Matthew 1:22,23 says, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’–which means, “God with us.’”
Can you begin to fathom the repercussions of such a statement? I mean if it is true the implications are endless, not just for Mary and Joseph, or the shepherds but for us. It means that God is interested in your life and mine. We aren’t some little wind up robots that go around apart from the caring eye of our creator. Not at all. He went to some great lengths to remove the distance, to bridge the gap to get close to us. And during those Blue Christmases He’s still with us.
Immanuel–God is with us. The Bible says that we have a high priest (Jesus) who can sympathize with us in our weakness. So, in those moments when you find yourself in the midst of a Blue Christmas, during the storms of life... rather than telling God how big your storm is, why not tell your storm how big your God is!
Remember God knows our pain. Our Wonderful Counselor promises to never leave you or forsake you. Regardless of the situation or circumstance... even when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you need not fear evil for He is with you. In other words He cares about you. And God promises to take away our pain, ultimately, forever in heaven.
Revelation 21:4 tells us that, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” So even if this December is a tough one for you, you can still be joyful in the midst of suffering if you believe the outcome is worth the pain and that there is a compassionate God who will be beside you in the valley.
Kristen white wrote:
Dave thank you for the encouraging words…again! My father passed away several years ago, and after an unexpected trip to Ohio for his emergency surgery that he ultimately did not survive, we came back home to Louisville and were blessed to have you speak at his memorial service. I remember sitting in the chair at the service wondering how anything would ever again be the same. Your kind words and the loving arms of Jesus got my family and I through those rough first few months, and now I can finally say that I am at peace with his death. His name was also Bob, and he was a great man. I am sorry for the loss of your father in law, especially right before Christmas, and I truly hope that you and your wife and family are able to find peace with his death, the kind that only God can bring us. Can you imagine what his first Christmas in heaven will be like?! What an amazing welcome home! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
December 23, 2009 @ 12:42 am
Kathleen wrote:
It’s so nice to know that there is hope in the true meaning of Christmas when life can seem to put a raincloud over the holidays. I remind myself not to take my loving family for granted, and to also remember the extreme comfort that God gives me through every low.
December 26, 2009 @ 9:50 pm
Debbie Lynch wrote:
Hi Dave,
I really enjoyed your notes this time as usual. It really hit home this time ,due to my Mother-in-law passing away. I guess you don’t really stop and think about alot of things, like your own passing away do we?
I hope others had a great Old fashion Christmas this year. I wish you and yours a Happy 2010… May God richly bless you Dave!!!! Your the best!!!
Debbie (Bubbles)
January 3, 2010 @ 10:25 pm
Debbie(Bubbles) wrote:
Hi Dave,
Thank you for your lovely Message, you always seem to say the right things. I am so sorry about your Father-in-law.
My Family and I had a different Christmas this year as well. My Mother-in-law passed away and I found myself thinking about alot of different things about my own Life.
I hope alot of people read your Blog Dave, you are really good when you write.
I am wishing you Dave, and your Family a great 2010. I hope the Church grows alot more this year. May God Bless you Dave. You are the Best.
January 3, 2010 @ 10:38 pm
paula wrote:
Your blogs always seem to hit home with me. I am not a member of your church but follow your blogs and also your sermons online. I too could have let a Blue Christmas get me down. I knew that God would make everything work out. He did and this 2010 will be GREAT!
I am sorry to hear your family had such a terrible loss.
January 4, 2010 @ 1:32 pm
T&S wrote:
Dave & Beth,
We were saddened to hear about Beth’s Dad. We will keep your family in prayer through this difficult time.
T&S
January 10, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
Rebekah & Alyssa Kamer wrote:
Dave and Beth,
So sorry to hear of your loss, I havent been on here for a while, but wanted to see if anything was on here about Haiti after watching the news last night. Then I began to read about your Father and I am so sorry I didnt know before now. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. I lost my father 8 yrs ago and it still feels sad at Christmas for me, because My Dad always made Christmas special for us kids. No matter how old you are there are some things you never forget. I am so Thankful to know I will see him again someday. Our Faith keeps us together. Again so sorry I am just now finding out and I pray for strength for your family in this difficult time. In Jesus Name! God Bless you all….
January 14, 2010 @ 9:54 am