Today I led a funeral for a man in our church (Bob Muncey) who died unexpectedly this past weekend. There's never a "good" time to experience the death of a husband, a dad, a grandpa or a friend. But, I observed aloud what everyone was experiencing - this is especially difficult: losing a loved one at Christmas time.
But as I reflected on the meaning of Advent and the hope that is ours through Christ, I knew I had to share the following in the service today. Thought I'd share it here for anyone who's holidays bring the fresh ache of someone who went too soon.
My heart breaks for you in this loss. I can’t ignore what we’re all thinking about the timing of Bob’s passing. Christmas is next week. Nothing’s the same now. What do you do with that?
And yet, there’s something powerful in this season, in this timing that I want to point out. In church language this season is known as Advent. A season that celebrates not only Jesus’ first coming, but the promise, the hope of His return, his second coming. This season reminds us that although the chaos of life – from the busyness of shopping to the grief wrapped up in death – in all that chaos there is hope. Jesus came, not to give us a holiday to drink eggnog and give gifts, but he came to announce, to live, to demonstrate the inclusiveness of the Kingdom. Jesus announced “it is here; I am here.”
And after a few short years here on the planet, he announced his departure… and he died at the hands of a people who didn’t understand his agenda or his love.
But he defeated death. He rose from the grave. He will still fulfill his promise to return, bringing justice and peace and wholeness to all He has created. This isn’t it.Death doesn't win.
This is Advent. The in-between season. Between reality past and future to come. We’re living there. All of us. And with a heightened clarity, my prayer for you as family and friends of Bob Muncey is that you will experience the hope of Jesus this Christmas. Maybe it’s meaning will, strangely, be more meaningful for you than the rest of us.
And it's my prayer for any of you who know the pain of loss this season will find fresh meaning and unexplainable hope.
Merry Christmas.
