Life on this side of eternity doesn’t always have a Frank Capra ending. (If you haven’t seen Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life”, I give you permission to bookmark this blog, go watch the movie, and come back later. It is that good.)
But, and old black and white movie isn’t reality. At least, not exactly. My own childhood was pretty lovely. Even now, the troubles our family has faced seem small in comparison to the trials of other people we know and love. But, none of us escape, do we?
So, what do we do when life isn’t so wonderful anymore? When it is painful and sad and sometimes downright heartbreaking? Occasionally, I watch an old black & white movie simply to remind myself that angels are real, family is precious, and the richest man is the one with friends. Other times, I sing Christmas carols. I love to sing the archaic words and phrases and remind myself of the eternal truths.
“God rest ye merry, Gentlemen, let nothing ye dismay. Remember Christ the Savior was born upon this day. To save us all from Satan’s power…” God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
“Then rang the bells more loud and sweet, God is not dead nor does He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth good will to men.” I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (My favorite version is Here)
I know the holidays can intensify feelings of depression, loneliness, and despair. If that is true for you, I pray you will find a way to “keep Christmas” this year as Mr. Dickens once wrote. Because it is the Good News the angels sang to the shepherds on that dark night outside Bethlehem.
Jesus came to bring Peace on Earth, even in the hard times. Even to the broken places. Even when it hurts. He takes the horrible, awful, no good situation and shines His light on it. And suddenly, we discover that, through Him, we can have a wonderful life.