This month is indeed a joy-filled time for many as family gathers and we remember the God who came to be with us, Emmanuel, the almighty Son of God incarnate as a humble baby. This truth is quite shocking, hardly believable if it were not for the testimonies and truth claims recorded in God’s Word. Yet for others this time of year brings acute feelings of sorrow and loss. We gathered with Holly’s family last night, and grandma (Holly’s mom) was conspicuously absent as she is now with the Lord. Others have lost a spouse, a parent, or some other close family member or friend, and their absence is painful. Yet as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, we do not grieve as those with no hope, for indeed we do have hope beyond this life, the promise of eternal life with Christ along with all those who have trusted in Him.

We have had the joy this month of having Alyssa with us. Our daughter has recently returned from an extended time in Malaysia, and is with us for December until she returns to Kentucky to resume her work (she is a nanny) and starts a graduate degree at Southern Seminary. For the past week, we’ve also been blessed by having her boyfriend, Braxton, stay with us. It has been a joy getting to know him, seeing his heart for the Lord, and watching him and Alyssa delight in each other as they walk with Christ. In addition, having newly engaged Andrew and Ivy Jo with us is always a treasure.

However, we are also aware of our other son, Adam, and his wife Sofia, and their six month old baby girl Joanna, who are far, far away. They are proceeding through a mission training school in the country of Georgia (near Russia), and will not be back in America until perhaps May 2026. Thankfully, we are able at least to talk to them and see them through video conferencing, but again their absence is painfully felt.

All of these joys and sorrows combine to make the holiday season loaded with emotion. Yet through it all we must remember the One who left His heavenly home to come to earth, born to a virgin by the Holy Spirit. He came “full of grace and truth,” (John 1:14) with the explicit mission of “giving his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk. 10:45) The Son of God left God the Father for the mission of “seeking and saving the lost.” (Luke 19:10) That’s you and me! We needed saving, so God sent His Son to be our Savior. Because of that separation, Jesus fulfilling His mission from the Father (John 17:4), we now can enjoy reconciliation and union with God through Christ. May we be filled with joy, even through the sorrow, at the glorious message of the Gospel, shown in God’s indescribable love for you and me. A blessed and merry Christmas to you!