The Sadness of Christmas

Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)
²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
²⁷ Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
²⁹ "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹ which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
³³ The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
³⁵ so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

1 Timothy 2:4-6 (NIV)
⁴ who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.

Yesterday I wrote on this encounter that took place just 8 days after Jesus was born.  His mother and father take him to the Temple where he will be circumcised and officially given his name - Jesus.  There an old man - a faithful, devout Jewish man - who had been given a word from God that he would see the Messiah before he died, sees Jesus in Mary's arms and speaks these words that bless and announce the destiny of Jesus' life.
Salvation
Revelation
Glory
To all people - Jew and Gentile.

Mary and Joseph stand dumb-founded.  Simeon is a human voice speaking the truth of their baby Son's life to come.
But, in the midst of this there is solemnity.  Simeon turns towards Mary and says the sobering words:
A rising and falling of many
A sign to be spoken against
Hearts revealed
AND
A sword through your own Soul, Mary.

The sadness of Christmas is for Mary very personal.  She has borne a son who is destined to die.  He is the one who is come to redeem, but like all sacrifices, by way of his own sacrifice.

One of the saddest aspects of Christmas is that this can be a painful and lonely time for many who have lost loved ones - especially in the last year.
There's room at Christmas for sadness,
There's a place in God's heart for you,
For He knows pain and loss,
Which he felt on the cross,
So this time is also for you...
For God knows what it's like too.


Let's remember that the birth of Christ is for ALL people - especially for those humbled in sorrow, and feeling the loss - especially when they know all around people can't understand why they are still sad.