The Season of Contrast

What a story. Dong Yun Yoon asking for help from people who have suffered "more terrible things" pleaded, "Please tell me how to do it, I don't know what to do." The first I heard of this man, he was speaking saying, "They are with God now." He was speaking of his wife, two children and his mother-in-law who had died in a fiery blaze caused by a failed F/A-18D in San Diego.

What incredible insight in the midst of loss.

I wouldn't be so bold as to tell Yoon what to feel or how to react, but his reaction has been no less than supernatural. It is Spirit-filled. The human response would be bitterness and anger and perhaps there will be some of that to come. But then Yoon's story is what Christmas is about. It is about the reality of loss and death and sorrow. And then Christmas is about life and hope and a vision for an eternity to come. The mother of Jesus was told as much by Simeon. When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, Simeon prophesied, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." (Luke 2:34b-35) In other words, "Mary, your Son is going die before you do, and heart of mankind will be revealed. Have a nice day."

The soul of Mary was pierced three decades following this event. But the grief was short-lived. There would be a death. There would follow a resurrection. Where there was sorrow, there would be joy. Where there was fear, there would be confidence. Sorrow would return to the human heart and fear would raise its ugly head again, but this time hope would remain and finally rule the day because born in a manger was a baby who would be the Savior of all people.

In a season of excitement and anticipation, Yoon's heart was pierced. What a contrast!

Still, this is a season of contrasts. They are all around. We are outside and it is cold. So we come in and stand next to the heater. Now it is too hot. The sun rises too late in the morning and sets way too soon in the afternoon. There is darkness in our days, but then there are the lights of neighborhood decorations. Gifts are given to some and gifts are never received by others. There is family togetherness and there is individual loneliness.

Then there is a spiritual contrast. Consider the contrast of the Gospel in the world. There is sin and death in the world. In the Gospel there is forgiveness and life. In the world, there is destruction and decay. In the Gospel there is restoration and re-creation. The world offers loneliness and rejection. In the Gospel there is a body of believers in heaven and on earth who, as Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, are so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us."

In this season of contrast, Yoon, I am sure, is experiencing loneliness and will for some time to come. I am broken for him. His soul is pierced at the loss of his family, not to mention his worldly possessions. But I am personally encouraged by his initial response. There is sorrow to be sure, but hope at the end. Merry Christmas.