The Christmas Bridge
Christmas can be one of the most difficult times in the grief journey because we associate this time with being together with those we love, sharing in the joy, and gift-giving. When you are grieving the loss of a loved one it can honestly feel more dreadful than joyful even if you are celebrating Christ at Christmas. My encouragement to you this Christmas season is to allow yourself to envision crossing the Christmas Bridge. If you have ever visited a scenic bridge, most likely you did not just run across the bridge. You took your time, you took in the view, and all of your senses were engaged in the experience. As you crossed over the bridge there may have been some fear, particularly if you were high up. You may have been unsure of what was on the other side but you had the anticipation of wondering what was next. You may never go back to that bridge but you have those memories as treasures stored in your heart, pictures to reminisce and most likely you have told many others of this place.
As you cross the Christmas Bridge of grief this year, take your time, don’t try to run across it. Allow yourself to experience all that you are feeling, engaging all of your five senses. Consider that maybe the Christmas Bridge is not an ending to Christmas’ past but a link to your hope for the future. As you walk this bridge, you are not getting farther from your loved one or your dreams. You are taking it all in, the pain of missing them, the joy of loving them, the treasure of memories that light your heart, and journey forward. As the New Year hails on the horizon, take courage to cross the Christmas Bridge at your own pace and with the peace of always remembering the beauty of where you have been.
Lastly if your hope is in Christ, I think the picture above of the giant hands holding the bridge reminds us of that Hope. It is strong and sure.
~ He is holding all of us up as we cross our Christmas Bridge this year and that hope is the anchor of our souls. Hebrews 6:19
If you don’t know the hope of Christ, you can receive the greatest gift of all by opening your heart to Jesus this Christmas. Ask Him into your heart and allow Him to walk with you across the Christmas Bridge and into your hope for the future. May peace, hope, and strength be onto you this Christmas Season.
Written by: Robin Murphy