A Time of Gladness

"And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise." -Moroni 7:41

Nineteen years ago today, my dad slipped peacefully from this life after a three year battle with a merciless disease. On the evening of December 17th, Dad died. Four days later, we buried him. And four days after that, we celebrated Christmas. Some may wonder if Christmas is forever tainted with sadness for our family after dealing with such tragedy so close to the holiday. I would say that it is not, never has been, not even a little. 

Sure my heart aches just a little bit each year about this time when I think about him. I wish he was here to see his beautiful grandchildren. I wish he was here to laugh with and share a delicious meal with.(Our passion for food came from him.) But Christmas has always been a joyous and sacred season for our family. It was when Dad was with us, and it has continued to be so since his death.

I can only attest this resiliency of spirit to my knowledge of God and his great plan of happiness. In a way, it is a blessing that Dad died during this time of year. I can not think of Dad's death without my thoughts instantly turning to the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

The sting of death is taken away by He who suffered in Gethsemane and died on Golgotha. His death was but a small moment. His resurrection is eternal. Jesus Christ lives. He is my Savior and Redeemer. It is through Him that burdens can be lifted. It is through Him that my sorrows have been lightened. It is through Him that I have found joy amidst the vicissitudes of life. He suffered that we might repent. He died that we might live again. He lived the perfect life that we might have the example. 

How can one wallow in sadness when there is so much good news to rejoice in this time of year? I know that because Christ rose again, that my father too will rise again, as will we all. I know that family relationships are eternal. We are parted from Dad for but a moment, and our reunion with him will be sweet. For this reason, Christmas will continue to be a time of gladness and rejoicing for me. A time that I choose to look to God and live rather than look to the past and weep. 

"...and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up." -Mormon 7:5