Jesus: The Perfect Gift

As you read this Musing, Christmas Day has passed. Gifts have been given and opened. Festive meals and parties have blessed our lives, and we have spent time with loved ones. Today you may be feeling a bit down. Maybe the kids have had to leave for home this morning. Maybe you are missing out on the embrace of a loved one who could not make it home. Maybe you are grieving the death of a spouse or child, or friend. This time of year, is so good and exciting, and it also can be sad and lonely for many.

I know this month has been a roller coaster of emotions for my family. We are still grieving the death of our son, brother, uncle, cousin, Jesse. He is Lisa and mine’s fourth son in birth order. He left us at age 31. So young. So many unanswered questions. But that is so common isn’t it, when we lose a friend or family member to death. We often are left with a bag full of questions, many never get answered to our satisfaction. That makes the sense of loss much greater, and the grieving more difficult. At least it has for me.

This Christmas I have spent a lot of time thinking of Jesse. I do miss his smile and humor. I miss him talking about his plans for life. I feel the loss of unspoken things between us. I wonder how his last minutes were. I praise God that he accepted Jesus at age 26 after running from him for so long. I am thankful that God’s wellspring of grace and forgiveness never runs dry. I am glad that when someone comes to Jesus, Jesus does not refuse them, nor let them slip away once in the palm of his hand.

I worry for my wife Lisa as the death of her son has been so hard on her. It continues to haunt her day, as it does mine, and most likely always will. As many have told us, there is no “getting over” the death of a child. Many of you know that too. The hole in your heart is real. But God has a way of nursing us back to life, happiness and wholeness, that is a big part of Christmas. Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection means that death is not the end of our relationships with others who also are “In Christ”. Those who are saved, Who have by faith opened the gift of forgiveness that is at the center of this Christmas Season, do not have to worry that death means never seeing your loved ones again. That means we have hope, a certainty of being united again with those who have left us. Life is great, but life also includes death and loss. But for the Christian who has Jesus Christ as Savior, this physical death is only a temporary separation between loved ones and friends.

God also has a way of reminding us that life must go on. Just last Saturday our son Isaac was married to the love of his life, Denise! She is a perfect soul mate for our son. She loves the Lord and serves him in many ways. They will be used greatly of God to minister to kids, teens and adults as they develop their gifts and abilities. They both are committed first to the Lord Jesus, and then to each other. That is a wonderful gift, this gift of faith they have received from God. Their wedding day was a joyous time, a great balm on our hearts and of the families.

So, I will close this Musing asking you if Jesus Christ is really the Lord and Savior of your life? Have you truly, by faith, asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior? This gift of grace God has for you comes by faith, faith in the Word of God, faith in the Son of God. I hope you have Jesus in your life. Then every day will be Christmas! That is a good thing, it is the best thing!

If you have not received Jesus as Savior by faith in his work of redemption on the cross, why not today?

Dave Carroll is an area missionary with InFaith, America’s oldest Christian home mission agency. He is also pastor of the Wolf Creek Baptist Church. You can contact Dave at 406.459.8935 or [email protected]