It’s Christmas Eve. While the snow has melted, the lights still twinkle, and anticipation builds for the events of the next few days. Attending a candlelight service this evening. Enjoying a special meal tomorrow (chicken marsala, YUM). Hosting the family on Saturday. So much tradition to be enjoyed.

Yet this Christmas season is utterly unique. My cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment have invaded our lives, and that fact cannot be denied. Indeed, I find myself wondering how many more Christmases I will see.

Fortunately, I am really doing well at the moment. I’m asymptomatic and free from those nasty chemo side effects. Even that pesky dry mouth seems to be improving.

I had another immunotherapy treatment yesterday. This time, the thirty-minute infusion was replaced by a three-minute injection. So even that small gift of time was nice.

Nonetheless, as the day progressed, some grim realities surfaced. A good friend who has the same diagnosis I have is now hospitalized and suffering greatly as the disease has gained traction. I heard from yet another who is also struggling with esophageal cancer, and he reported that his side effects are particularly severe.

The thing is that this season’s struggles don’t end there. There are others I know who are facing the first Christmas without a loved one. Still others grapple with the pain of broken relationships and the uncertainty of financial hardships.

On a macroscale, it’s all too obvious that the bad news didn’t take a break for the holidays. Prejudice, injustice, violence, and war fill the headlines. The peace on earth and goodwill toward men that is often sung about seems to be sorely lacking.

Does God Understand?

Gwen and I found ourselves discussing this yesterday while I was awaiting my treatment. And then she mentioned how one particular seasonal song seems especially appropriate this year. Written by Chris Rice, “Welcome to Our World” speaks of how Jesus didn’t come to a nice, neat, sanitized setting but to a confusing, messy, pain-filled one. Take a look at some of the lyrics:

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child, welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited, Holy Stranger
Make yourself at home, please, make yourself at home

Bring your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking heaven's silence
Welcome to our world, welcome to our world

When you strip away all of the seasonal glitter and sparkle, Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth illustrates just how challenging that moment of welcome was. Take a look at these familiar words.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:4-7)

Mark it well: Jesus didn’t come as a conquering king or as some sort of superhero. He came as a helpless baby...to dirt-poor parents living among a marginalized people. But even more, He was born in a crude setting, wrapped in rags and placed in a feeding trough.

Why? To be sure, those were the inescapable realities that He found Himself in, but I think it goes beyond that. In fact, I think this was part of a divine plan.

An important point was being made. Because of this “welcome” Jesus received, we would never wonder if He knows what it’s like to really live in this cold, dark world under the worst of circumstances.

So many in our day, who are struggling would shake their fist at God and say, “You just don’t understand what it’s like down here – how hard it is.”

If you’ve ever had those thoughts, then all you have to do is reread the Christmas story. Read it and reflect on the wonder of Immanuel – God with us.

Merry Christmas, friends.

Loved having all our kids together for our grandson, Nolan’s first community theater performance—young Ebenezer in “A Christmas Carol.”

PRAYER REQUESTS

Here’s how you can pray for us in the coming days:

PRAISE God for advancements in medical science that are making my treatment easier!
Next treatment is Tuesday, January 20. Continue to PRAY that the immunotherapy is effective at reducing the cancer and holding it at bay.
PRAISE God that our granddaughter, Madison, followed the Lord in baptism last Sunday! What a joy it was to share that moment with her!
PRAY that we will cherish each moment of this Christmas season and build lasting memories with our loved ones.