Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, St. Matthews Baptist Church

Normally, each December I schedule meeting times to be with members of my church whose beloved has passed on from earth to heaven.  Each time we have met to pray & share, I have been influenced by the courageous response each person had made to move forward while living with grief intensified by the holiday season.

This year, a trusted friend suggested that I write a letter to those who have lost loved ones.  After days of contemplating the letter my pastor’s heart wanted to write, I sat down last night in front of my Christmas tree to think of you and pray for you.  My hand picked up a pen, and I wrote the following: 

Maybe this Christmas you are sitting alone, looking at the tree you use to decorate with your beloved.  While remembering each ornament’s origin, you recall the Christmases you once formed and shared.  Sadness and gladness mix in the tears that moisten your eyes.

You find yourself again having to choose - am I mainly grateful for the life we shared that created these memories which enrich each of my days, or, am I more regretful that the “love of my life” is no longer beside me, holding my hand, calling me dear?

You pray – ‘Dear Lord, You know my pain.  Help me.  The absence aches within me so that I find it hard to feel Your presence.  And yet I know that by leaning into You, Your comfort will hold me close and Your counsel will guide me into choosing what is right.  And so I choose:

gladness to rule my sadness;

gratitude to govern my regret;

hope to answer my despair;

faith to shape my trust; and

love to light my soul.

You are Emmanuel, O Lord.  And my dear departed is now perfectly with You in heaven, while I am with You here on earth.  I rejoice in knowing afresh how You link together our worlds.  With the angels I sing “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all on whom Your favor rests.”  All that You request is for us to accept Your gift to receive, a choice to make.  My reply is a great “Yes” to the Christmas You have for me to live each day.’

With our love & prayers this Christmas season.

Pastor Les Hollon

This letter was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of St. Matthews Baptist Church.  For more information about embracing hope while dealing with the grief of losing a loved one, grief and hope, St. Matthews Baptist Church, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to St. Matthews Baptist Church.

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