Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a very ancient Christmas hymn that I think you will know.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear,
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Boy do I love the words to this ancient, classic Christmas hymn, because they are filled with hope and longing. And that's something many people are needing right now, don’t you think—for many, the holiday season is one long festive party. For others it's a sad reminder of happier times; other Christmas seasons when your loved ones were with you—when family was … well, family, and you really felt like celebrating.
My friend Kristin from back East is experiencing this right now. She lost her husband in Afghanistan four years ago. It was a terrible tragedy involving friendly fire, which, in a way, made her husband's death seem all the more difficult to bear. This will be the fourth Christmas without him, and Kristin confided that her grief and sense of loss really hasn't lessened as much as she hoped it would by now. She was doing okay for a few months, but now with Christmas and everyone in the spirit, invitations to parties, all the festive, fun things that go with the season, she said she feels lost. Her friends are supportive, and she appreciates that so much—but privately she has wondered if her friends are thinking, come on, Kristin, isn't it time you got on with life? You've had long enough to grieve. It's time to move on.
And so, Kristin is struggling with the same depressing feelings she experienced last Christmas season, and the one before that. And I don't think her situation is unusual. There are many people like her—and they haven't even lost loved ones! Maybe you are dealing with sad feelings this season. You feel empty; you feel fatigue, no energy, no desire to go to the office party or the Christmas play at church. Life feels so, so flat, and you wonder if you will ever, ever be able to rise up above it all. Your brain feels like it's in a fall and you feel weighted down.
Well, if I'm describing you, then I want you to know that I sang this hymn today for you—just for you! I pray that Jesus, long expected and long waited for, will fill the void in your heart in a very personal and comforting way. He understands Kristin, and he empathizes with you. And more than empathy, he has power, he has strength to help you step out of the fog and do the next thing. Oh, and something else that's for you today—I have an excellent little book written by my friend Dr. Edward Welch entitled "Depression: The Way up When You Are Down." It has some wonderful insights that will strengthen your heart—and if it's someone else who is struggling with depression, then please pick up a copy for them. Just go to my radio page today at joniandfriends.org and ask for your free booklet and you’ll find the way up and out of depression.
© Joni and Friends
Used by permission of Joni and Friends
P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376