One of my favorite Christmas carols is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. While I love the words expressed in the many verses, I love the small “chorus” that comes at the end of each. “O Tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joy.”
Comfort. God is our comfort. David expressed that wonderful truth in that most blessed Psalm 23. “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” [vs 4]
I had a bad day yesterday. Evening found me sitting in the bathroom crying. I was tired of being strong. Bob’s short-term memory was especially absent during the day, and I had answered the same questions over and over or repeatedly tried to explain something he was incapable of understanding. I was dealing with a new health issue and wanting to go back to Christmas times when our home was full of people, kids, and joy. The Lights on my Christmas Tree burned out. And I missed my friend Patty.
I told God I was tired of being “strong.” Then wiped my tears and went out to do what I needed to do. I heard the LORD say: “being strong and needing comfort are two totally different things.” I realized that even the strong have times when they need God’s comfort.
Comfort. During the holidays we often reflect as much on what we have lost as what we have gained. Many have lost loved ones, family, or friends. Some have lost income, or experienced divorce. Children have grown up and perhaps left home. Christmas often reminds us that what we used to have may not be ours anymore.
That is when we need those “tidings of comfort and joy” that flow from the Nativity. God has come to comfort us. We have a LORD who knows what it is to experience loss and pain with us, who mourns with us, who weeps with us. In that I find the greatest of “comfort.”
Wonder of Wonders!
