Christmas in Heaven
Dec 24, 2024 by Addison Crissone
It's finally Christmas Eve.
By this time tomorrow morning, I will be sitting around the tree with my family as we open gifts given and received as 'A Christmas Story' plays on the television in the background just as we do every year.
I am sure you'll be doing something similar.
We all have Christmas traditions that are special to us, whether silly or serious; old or new.
These traditions seem to have a way of drawing family members closer together and making the holidays just a little bit more special- enjoyable even. These traditions can be anything from opening stockings after gifts, simply drinking the same punch every Christmas morning, or watching the same Christmas movie every Christmas Eve night.
But these traditions are also what makes it so hard when vital parts of them are no longer with us. Like loved ones who have passed away.
It makes my heart hurt to think of all the traditions my family and I are having to go without this year because of loved ones who are now gone.
It makes me wonder about all the things I wish I would have done and said differently last year had I only known that it would be their last on this earth. But I didn't know.
And if I'm being totally honest, I still can't quite believe that they are gone.
Maybe you facing something like this.
Like me, you are facing the death of a person you never thought you would have to live without. Maybe they were called home last week, or maybe they've been gone for five months. No matter how long it's been, the grief is all the same during the holidays. Maybe you are struggling with the memories of last year and all the years before that. Perhaps you are fighting with all the things you wish you would have done with them but never got to do.
Friend, if you are struggling this Christmas, you're not alone.
Even as I write this, I am given one tiny reminder of hope: they have Christmas in Heaven too.
"In my Father's house there are many rooms," Jesus has already promised us who believe, "If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?"
Jesus has already prepared a place in the Father's kingdom for those who believe in Him, and He has given us the hope of a home in Heaven. This is the very reason we celebrate Christmas; because without the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, then we would have nothing to celebrate and no reason to hope for a Christmas in Heaven.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells us that Jesus has given us this victory:
In his Gospel, John describes Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world," (John 1:29). Jesus has taken away the sin that Paul speaks of in his letter and given us victory over death, hell, and the grave. This is why we have hope for a Christmas in Heaven.
My friend, rest assured that your believing loved one who has passed away is experiencing the most extraordinary Christmas in Heaven right now.
It makes me smile now thinking of my loved ones up there celebrating with Jesus on His birthday. Perhaps it's snowing on the rooftop of the Father's house as the streets of gold are covered in white. Maybe the angels are singing Silent Night as the children of God sing praises to The Perfect Lamb at his birthday banquet.
It's just too wonderful for us to imagine.
As Christmas dawns and we gather together to open our gifts, let us be reminded of the gift that was given to the world on Christmas day- the gift of hope, redemption, and salvation through Jesus Christ. And as we grapple with grief and recall the memories of lost loved ones, may we remember that they, too, are celebrating this day with the King of kings.
By this time tomorrow morning, I will be sitting around the tree with my family as we open gifts given and received as 'A Christmas Story' plays on the television in the background just as we do every year.
I am sure you'll be doing something similar.
We all have Christmas traditions that are special to us, whether silly or serious; old or new.
These traditions seem to have a way of drawing family members closer together and making the holidays just a little bit more special- enjoyable even. These traditions can be anything from opening stockings after gifts, simply drinking the same punch every Christmas morning, or watching the same Christmas movie every Christmas Eve night.
But these traditions are also what makes it so hard when vital parts of them are no longer with us. Like loved ones who have passed away.
It makes my heart hurt to think of all the traditions my family and I are having to go without this year because of loved ones who are now gone.
It makes me wonder about all the things I wish I would have done and said differently last year had I only known that it would be their last on this earth. But I didn't know.
And if I'm being totally honest, I still can't quite believe that they are gone.
Maybe you facing something like this.
Like me, you are facing the death of a person you never thought you would have to live without. Maybe they were called home last week, or maybe they've been gone for five months. No matter how long it's been, the grief is all the same during the holidays. Maybe you are struggling with the memories of last year and all the years before that. Perhaps you are fighting with all the things you wish you would have done with them but never got to do.
Friend, if you are struggling this Christmas, you're not alone.
Even as I write this, I am given one tiny reminder of hope: they have Christmas in Heaven too.
"In my Father's house there are many rooms," Jesus has already promised us who believe, "If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?"
Jesus has already prepared a place in the Father's kingdom for those who believe in Him, and He has given us the hope of a home in Heaven. This is the very reason we celebrate Christmas; because without the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, then we would have nothing to celebrate and no reason to hope for a Christmas in Heaven.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells us that Jesus has given us this victory:
"O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?
For the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
- 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
O death, where is your sting?
For the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
- 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
In his Gospel, John describes Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world," (John 1:29). Jesus has taken away the sin that Paul speaks of in his letter and given us victory over death, hell, and the grave. This is why we have hope for a Christmas in Heaven.
My friend, rest assured that your believing loved one who has passed away is experiencing the most extraordinary Christmas in Heaven right now.
It makes me smile now thinking of my loved ones up there celebrating with Jesus on His birthday. Perhaps it's snowing on the rooftop of the Father's house as the streets of gold are covered in white. Maybe the angels are singing Silent Night as the children of God sing praises to The Perfect Lamb at his birthday banquet.
It's just too wonderful for us to imagine.
As Christmas dawns and we gather together to open our gifts, let us be reminded of the gift that was given to the world on Christmas day- the gift of hope, redemption, and salvation through Jesus Christ. And as we grapple with grief and recall the memories of lost loved ones, may we remember that they, too, are celebrating this day with the King of kings.
