As 2025 draws near its end, we will gather (as churches often do on Christmas Eve) to reflect on what it means to have Jesus, the light of the world present with us. Because even in the darkest of times, we can have hope. We can trade his light for our darkness.

This year, I stumbled upon a song by Toby Mac that puts words to what many of us who’ve experienced pain and loss at Christmas time. It’s called “If Christmas Hits Different This Year,” and it really does capture the the bittersweet side of celebrating when you’re healing from a loss, and how it’s the hardest season for some because of who is missing. Or maybe it’s because of an illness, and injury, or an accident that caused your “Christmas” to look different this year.

For me, personally, it was a little of both. First, it fit so well not just because my extended family (like others) has lost too many at this time of the year, but also because of the way one special person – my younger brother, was taken from us, and what feels like an un-righted injustice. 

There is also this little sting of sadness because as you know, our Christmas did look quite different this year, due to the medical emergency Brandon endured in November. Loneliness, discouragement, and chaos did try to creep their way in. And it was different, but thank God we weren’t overcome.

And that is because, Jesus is Emmanuel – He is God with us, and he doesn’t ever leave us to suffer or wait on our own. And that is the true HOPE of the season; because even if it’s seen through tear stained and weary eyes, a tiny glint of hope is still a beautiful sight that can grow to illuminate our entire soul.

So as we close out this season of light, and think on the journey of those Wise Men who searched by light of the star to find Jesus, may we also remember that sometimes the path is illuminated brightly and it’s simple to follow, and then sometimes the way is a little more dim (a little more off the beaten path), but he is still there, and it takes some searching on our part to find our way back to him.

I want to close with this… God promised his people in Jeremiah 29, that He will be found when his people search for him with their whole hearts. That’s not a “maybe you might find me”, or “maybe I’ll stay with you,” but a promise from the Holy One who isn’t like us and can’t break his word. So may we be a people of trust, of searching, and of following hard after Jesus, so we can lean into his way of life, and overcome darkness with light in this new year!

Blessings,

Pastor Faith

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – Jn 1:1