Broken-Hearted Holiday

For my mentor, her family, and all who hurt this holiday season.

The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

No one wants to spend the holidays in a hospital. 

No one ever wishes to spend Thanksgiving planning a loved one’s funeral. 

No one ever chooses to spend Christmas unwrapping bandages instead of gifts, tending wounds instead of Christmas dinner. Wounds on their child’s burned body so deep they don’t even bleed.

Such thoughts are horrifying. But they are a reality for many people this holiday season.

The word holiday derives from the old English “holy-day”. How ironic for those who hurt on the holidays, those in excruciating circumstances they never chose. How could a day meant for celebration ever be holy for the hurting?

There are times in life when suffering is so intense it renders everything silent and horrifically sacred. Words are profane in such times, devoid of help or healing. Supernatural strength is required. Wisdom beyond one’s ability. Help beyond human.

Oh, how we want to save those we love when they face such suffering!

But we don’t possess that power. 

Jesus can walk through the walls grief builds. Jesus is the One who is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

There is only One who can steal past the barriers of a soul so devastated it refuses to be comforted. Only One who understands the shock and loneliness of the Father’s silence. His allowance of death and tragedy. Only One.

And this One is Holy.

Around the throne, incessantly, the angels sing about Him.

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come (Revelation 4:8).

He makes our horror holy by His presence. And in His presence, our souls find comfort. Hope. Peace. Calm. Rest. Even during broken-hearted holidays.

Sound familiar? This is the vocabulary of the old Christmas hymns we sing. Comfort. Hope. Peace. Calm. Holy.

The first holy-day was a broken-hearted holiday. The virgin gave birth to a son, and He was called Immanuel—which means God with us (see Matthew 1:21-22). #holidays #Christmas #suffering #faith Click To Tweet

God with us in the darkness, in the lostness, in the crushing. 

Immanuel is gentle with the broken-hearted. He will not force Himself into your sorrow. He will not berate you for questioning Him. He will not condemn you for the raging emotions that threaten to tear you into pieces. Doubt. Fear. Anger. 

The Messiah will stand by you, wrap His presence around you, and grieve with you. He understands that healing requires presence, patience, and quietness. He will give you the strength to do the next clear thing, which may be just to lay down and sleep. Or let someone else hold the baby. Or allow a friend to fill stockings for your children because you can’t leave the hospital. Or permit a trusted friend to be your communicator to caring and concerned loved ones who are clamoring to know you are okay.

The Lord understands your groanings that are deeper than words. You do not have to be intelligible, spiritual, or strong to ask for His presence. He is already beside you, quiet, waiting, loving. Ready to provide whatever you need. Will you believe that on this broken-hearted holiday?

Jesus draws near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. You or the one you love do not have to spend broken-hearted holidays alone. Immanuel has come.

Lord, thank You for drawing near to my broken heart or the heart of my loved one. Hold me. Hold him/her/them. Amen.

@audreycfrank