Christmas is a season of joy. We celebrate the birth of the Jesus Christ, the son of God, and with the angels we sing, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14 ESV). But then there are those moments of terror – those times when our celebration is interrupted by news of tragedy. This is Christmas for our family this year. Early in the morning of Christmas Eve we received a call from our son Nathan. His brother-in-law, Seth, was killed in a tragic accident.
As Sharon and I walked through the door of Nathan’s home, we embraced Alexis and wept. Alexis was so looking forward to Christmas with family and her children. As she wept she said, “But it’s Christmas.” I whispered in her ear, “Everyday is Christmas.”
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which means God with us (Matthew 1:23 ESV).
Because of Christmas, God is with us everyday. In fact, it is because of the death and corruption of this present age that Christmas is so meaningful. God is with us in days of joy, but especially in nights of sorrow. The words of Paul have been resounding in my ears this Christmas:
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer… Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (Romans 12:12, 15 ESV).
As our grandchildren have played we have laughed. But our hearts are filled with grief. As soon as this Christmas day is over we will attend the memorial service for Seth, and we will weep. But we weep in hope because everyday is Christmas – God is with us.
As I listened to Christmas music today I heard an old song, so appropriate for Christmas this year, and every year – Mary’s Little Boy Child. The words of the refrain are:
Hark, now hear the angels sing
A new King born today
And man will live forever more
Because of Christmas day.
Remembering Seth Michael Leverette
1995-2019
