There is an empty chair at the Christmas table and a space under the tree that once held presents for loved ones who are no longer with us.  The Christmas lights shine, but to the heart that longs to be with a loved one there is a dark cloud filled with sorrow.  Christmas songs ring in the air, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”  But there is no joy for those who have lost loved ones.

This inspiration is written to those whose loved ones have gone to be with the Lord.  May the Lord comfort you in the knowledge that the end of our earthly life is the beginning of a new life in heaven and that our loved ones are safe in the arms of Jesus.  In memory of those who cannot be with us this Christmas.

 

THE HEAVENLY CHRISTMAS PARTY

by Patricia Partney Dascher

There is a big Christmas party in heaven where our loved ones gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord.  The Lord himself is at that party shining as bright as thenoonday sun.

The heavenly Christmas party is filled with singing and rejoicing for all the tears that have been wiped away by our Lord.

Christmas gifts that none on earth could give are given at the heavenly Christmas party.  To those who had bodies racked with pain, new bodies filled with health and strength are given.  Old bodies are made young, failing hearts are made new and minds are renewed.

At the heavenly Christmas party there is no fear or pain, sorrow or despair.  For the Lord himself wipes away every tear and exchanges all fear for faith.  Where there was pain, He gives joy.  Where there was despair, He gives hope.  The are filled with joy and peace as our loved ones sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.  Let earth receive her King.  Let every heart prepare him room and heaven and natures sing.”

The Lord turned to each of his children asking if they had anything they would like for Him to give them this Christmas season.  A young girl came forward and bowed her head humbly before the Lord.  “Oh Lord, my body was in great pain and I suffered night and day.  You have given me a new body and wiped away all my tears.  Yet I have but one request.  It is not for me that I ask, but for my loved ones who are still upon the earth.  Let them know that I have been healed.”

A grandmother came forward saying, “Yes Lord, if you could just let my husband, children and grandchildren know the glory I am in right now, it would ease their grief.  If they could just have a glimpse of the new body you have given me, they too would have reason to rejoice this Christmas.”

A handsome gentleman came forward saying, “My heart had grown weak and I was full of worry and fear upon the earth.  Here all my fear has turned to faith and my heart is filled with love.  If you could just let my wife and children know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, they would no longer grieve at my absence.”

A young mother stepped forward saying, “Lord, I am happy here in my heavenly mansion.  But as long as I know my husband, mother, children andfriendsgrieve for me night and day my joy can not be full.  Tell them of my heavenly home.”

The heavens were quiet as grandmothers, grandfathers, husbands, wives, children, aunts, uncles andfriendswaited for the Lord’s reply.

“I will tell them,” the Lord said.  “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  That in my Father’s house are may mansions.  And that God will wipe away every tear.  I will tell them that where there is an end, there is always a beginning.  The end of life on earth is the beginning of a new life in heaven.   All the world shall know that I did not remain a baby in a manager, but became the resurrection and the life.  Suffering and death no longer hold the final victory, for I came to give eternal life.”

WE SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR.