(It’s heart-breaking to lose someone you love at Christmastime. On December 22nd, I preached for the funeral of a dear member of our church named Roger. May God’s promises of eternal life in heaven through faith in Jesus comfort all who mourn. This is why Jesus came – to give life in the face of death! In the midst of tears, it’s beautiful to imagine Christmas in heaven.)
Christmas seems like the worst time of year for a funeral. I don’t have to tell you that! A casket sure looks out of place in the middle of Christmas trees and manger scenes. My heart goes out to you and your family to lose someone you love so much at Christmastime. Everybody’s talking about peace and joy, and you feel sad. Most families are planning Christmas gatherings. And you’ve been making funeral plans. Christmas sure seems like the worst time of year for a funeral.
But let me ask you this: Is there ever a good time for a funeral? If Roger had made it past Christmas, maybe to February, would it be any easier? Would you call up the church and said, “Great news: Dad died today! We’re so glad he died in February!” I don’t think so. There’s never a good time of year for a funeral. Death is bad. Death is sad. No matter when it happens. Earlier in the service, we heard part of the story of when Jesus’ friend Lazarus died. When Jesus got to Lazarus’ tomb, do you remember what Jesus did? He cried! No matter what time of year it is, the death of a loved one robs us of our joy and powerfully reminds us of the sin in our world.
Because that’s why people die, right? Because of sin. From the time of Adam and Eve, sin has infected our world way worse than any virus. After our Sunday services recently, a man came up to me and said sadly, “I just don’t see any progress. We human beings are so bad. We can invent things and cure diseases, but we can’t fix our hearts. I don’t see any progress.” He’s right, isn’t he? We are so sinful. Roger was sinful. You know it. Every child can see his or her parent’s sins, just like parents can so clearly see their children’s sins. And the wages of sin is death.
But that’s why Christmas actually isn’t such a bad time for a funeral. Because funerals remind us why Christmas is so important. Why did Jesus come? To save us! To save us from our sins. To save us from death. The Bible says, “These words are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” It would seem pretty empty right now if I started to talk about Santa and reindeer and elves, wouldn’t it? But do you know what’s not empty? Jesus. He came to bring life. Starting with life on earth. Every day is a blessing. Every day is a day of God’s love and grace. But not just life on earth. Jesus came to bring us eternal life in heaven. A Christmas funeral helps us see why Jesus came: To bring life.
How? This is the part that’s so important. How do we get eternal life? It’s easy to think that we get life by working hard. If anybody worked hard, it was Roger, right? His work ethic is legendary. He did so much for our church! But we don’t get to heaven by working hard. Listen again to this verse: “These words are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Life in heaven is a gift—the best Christmas gift ever!—to all who believe in Jesus. Like Roger. He’s in heaven today, not because of how well he waxed the floors, but because Jesus died and rose to forgive him and save him. This is what Christmas is all about: Those who believe in Jesus have life in his name.
Can you imagine what Christmas is like in heaven? I know you miss Roger down here, but can you imagine what it must be like to celebrate Christmas in heaven? You don’t actually have to imagine it. The Bible tells us! Look at what Isaiah 25:6 says: “On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines.” That’s talking about heaven. What’s heaven like? Like a big feast. Lots of food! Did Roger like to eat? I bet he’s happy right now! The best foods and drinks. And you never get full or gain weight or run out… That’s Christmas in heaven. Think Roger likes it?
Of course, it makes a big difference whom you get to be with at Christmas. Do you know whom Roger is enjoying this big Christmas feast with? Read Revelation 21:3-4 – “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” Who does Roger get to celebrate Christmas with? God! You guys seem like a really nice family, but Roger gets to spend Christmas with God. With God who wipes every tear away. With God who doesn’t allow death or mourning or crying or pain. How does Christmas in heaven sound?
But for it to be Christmas, there’s got to be singing, right? It wouldn’t be Christmas without singing. Don’t you worry. Look at how Revelation 7:9-10 describes heaven: “There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God,who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb.’” Roger won’t get to sing “Silent Night” with us at church this week, but he gets to sing Jesus’ praises with the millions of people and angels in heaven. I bet it would send chills down your spine! “Salvation belongs to our God…!”
Can we look at one more verse? At one more beautiful description of heaven? Look at how heaven is described in Revelation 21: “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” How beautiful is heaven? “As a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” You shared the beautiful story that Roger in his last days pulled out his wedding book and looked at pictures of him and his wife. He really loves her, doesn’t he? Jesus loves him even more. Jesus loves her even more. Jesus loves you even more. Heaven is like God’s wedding banquet with us—forever. Can you imagine Christmas in heaven? That’s where Roger gets to be.
So what about you? You’re not in heaven yet. So what about you? You shared with me a passage that guided Roger throughout his life. It’s Matthew 6:33: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” What about you? When you know how good heaven is, “Seek first his kingdom.” Roger taught all of you a lot of things. He’s going to continue to have an impact on you for the rest of his life. I hope that the greatest thing you learned from Roger was this: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Seek God first in everything. Trust in God’s promises.
Because that’s what it’s all about. That’s what Christmas is all about. “These words are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Roger’s going to want you there in heaven with him. It’s only possible by faith in Jesus as your Savior. You know how with every passing year, there are more and more distractions that pull our hearts and minds away from God. Remember this from Roger: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
I know the rest of this week isn’t going to be easy. You’re going to have an empty spot at the table. An empty space on the couch or in the chair. When you feel that sadness, remember this: Roger made it home for Christmas. There was someone else who wanted Roger to be home for Christmas even more than you did—God his heavenly Father. As much as Roger loved you his family, God loves him even more. As much as Roger wanted to be home with his family for at least one more Christmas, God even more wanted him to be home with him for Christmas. When the tears come, remember, “Roger gets to spend Christmas in heaven!” One day, you will too.
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