Throughout my experiences of Sunday School teaching in the Fall I have reflected on
the symbol of Green, as a promise of New Life. Each year during Advent season I recall the sermon given at our church by a lady minister, Urla Currey; a modern story about a poor woman alone in a cold dark house, who gave birth to a boy child on Christmas Eve and then died, leaving her gift to the world to care for. The impression I was left with was that of gloom and darkness. It obviously made a great impact on me as it was several years ago and I have not forgotten it. Recently I have had the revelation that it means life and death are a part of the never-ending cycle. One part of Nature dies, or is dormant until the Spring, when the light and warmth brings forth new life from the seeds, and cocoons, and the dry dead-seeming bulbs we planted in the Fall. The Latin meaning of Advent is "coming towards". I think of it as the coming towards light through darkness.
Another example of the Light and Life theme was when one of my daughters was rushing around to find the new popular outdoor icicle lights. By the time she found some for herself and us, she decided that they were just part of the hype of the commercial part of Christmas, so returned them to the store. Yes, it is the time of the Festival of Lights, but the real enjoyment of Christmas is in gathering together with family or friends to celebrate the Holy birth in worship, and in feasting and giving of gifts of love. December, with it’s shortest days, soon gives way to the celebration of the New Year, with it’s promise of New Life and Light.
I want to tell you another story about life and death linked to both Christmas and Easter. On December 18th, 1986, a lovely baby grandson was born into our family and we felt we had been given the greatest gift possible. God had given us the gift of His love wrapped up in this miracle of life. This baby had the most beautiful smile and wonderful nature I ever remember experiencing. We already had two grandsons who were very special, but this wee child seemed the most loving and lovable possible. He simply radiated love all the time with his sweet sunny nature. Even when he became ill and began to lose weight and strength, then slipped away, he did very little complaining or fretting. It was classified as a SIDS death, but I wonder if God had sent him to teach us a special lesson, and if He needed a very special angel just then. All too soon Easter came. Corey Robert died on Maundy Thursday and was buried on Saturday, one day before Easter, aged only four months. That year I felt no joy in the Resurrection story and sang no Hallelujahs. I was not rebelling against God’s right or choice to take His little one home, but was unable to allow His comfort into my heart. It was a long time before I could listen to almost any music without breaking into weeping, and it was at least two years before I was able to appreciate the beauty of Nature again. Colours seemed to be washed out of my life, and I didn’t even hear birdsong. There is a wonderful poem by Edgar Guest, a copy of which was given to us by friends, which I would like to share with you here:
"I’ll lend you for a little time
A child of Mine," He said,
"For you to love the while he lives
And mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for Me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief,
You’ll have his lovely memories
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked this wide world over
In My search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes
I have selected you;
Now will you give him all your love,
Not think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
And take him back again?"
I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring
The risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness,
We’ll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we’ve known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand".
Here is a poem which I wrote that Spring:
Lamb, lamb, where didst thou go
When you left us here below
Do you remember, dost thou know
How our hearts you captured so?
You left when Easter lilies bloom
Your presence moved to a celestial room
Where radiance from a greater sun
Would warm your seed of new life begun
Will we know thee once again
When tears become celestial rain?
Will us you welcome to Eternity
When from earthly bonds we flee?
Lamb, lamb, when thence we go
We’ll send blessings here below
To aid remembrance, for ours to know
How our hearts them cherished so
However the cycle of life has gone on and three more grandsons have joined the circle of love which God holds around our family. On Sept. 2nd, 2000, our son remarried, adding another grandson and a grand-daughter to the group! This year, I’m again getting excited about entering the Holy season of Light, Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love. Because I have learned the power that Luke speaks of in Luke 23:35-43 about the power that "lets go" rather than hanging on.
Here is the prayer I have added to complete these Christmas reflections:
Dear God, thank you for the wonderful gift of your son, whom you allowed to come into our world, knowing the pain of death which awaited Him. Without the gifts of Life and Love He brought us, we would endlessly suffer the darkness of spirits separated from Your Light by the darkness of our unforgiven sins. Please help us be compassionate to those who are suffering the tragedy of personal loss in this season, which we expect to be filled with joyful happiness. May we minister to those who are alone, sick, hungry, frightened, or in any kind of pain. God, we know you reward us for helping them with a wonderful sense of self-enrichment and fulfillment. Give us the power to "let go" of all the superficial things which prevent us from enjoying the true meaning of Christmas.
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