After the Celebration: The Constant Comfort of Christ

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Read Psalm 102.
Pray!
If i’m being honest.. This Sunday was blank on the sermon schedule and I struggled with what the Lord would have me preach on going into the new year. I have personally been in a rough fight with grief since Christmas Eve service where it began to knock on my door. The day after Christmas it was no longer knocking it had kicked the door in…..and it has take a pretty heavy emotional and spiritual toll on me.
But as I prayed , i was reminded I’m probably not alone in this.
The holiday season is often filled with joy, celebration, and togetherness, but for many, it also highlights the pain of loss, grief, and loneliness.After the Christmas celebrations, the contrast between the joy of the season and the emptiness of grief can be particularly difficult.
Todays sermon is called, After the Celebration: The Constant Comfort of Christ
we are going to look at how we can move forward with hope, joy, and peace even as we carry the weight of grief, because the promise of Jesus is not limited to Christmas Day, but is meant to bring us daily comfort.

Grief in the Aftermath of the Holidays

Acknowledge the Pain!!
-Grief is a deeply personal and real experience, and the holiday season has a unique way of amplifying that pain. For many, the holidays bring about the reminder of a loved one’s absence, whether through death, estrangement, or a significant change in relationships. Christmas is often a time of family gatherings, celebration, and shared joy.
- So when a person faces a holiday without that loved one, the absence can be felt more intensely than at other times of the year. The festive decorations, the sounds of carols, and the joyful gatherings can serve as a painful contrast to the grief that quietly simmers beneath the surface.
-It’s not just the missing person—it’s the absence of shared traditions, familiar laughter, and the love that once filled the space. For those grieving, the holidays highlight the gap in their lives, and the weight of that grief can feel heavier than ever.
-Beyond the loss of loved ones, the holidays can also bring a sense of unmet expectations and disappointment. For some, Christmas is a time that amplifies feelings of loneliness, especially when the social pressures of family, relationships, and societal expectations create a sense of isolation. Even when surrounded by people, there can be a sense that something is missing or unfulfilled.
-The expectation that the holidays will bring joy and warmth often doesn’t match the reality for those struggling with personal struggles, unmet desires, or feelings of alienation. The days following Christmas can feel like an emotional letdown, a dissonance between what’s supposed to be a joyful season and what is felt on the inside.
-The contrast between the world’s celebrations and our internal sadness can create a unique kind of pain—a deep sorrow that seems to magnify in the silence after the season's end.
-When people are feeling overwhelmed with grief, it’s common for them to cling to the holidays more than to Jesus, often because the holiday season provides an illusion of comfort, familiarity, and distraction from pain. Holidays, especially Christmas, are filled with rituals, memories, and traditions that offer a sense of continuity, something that can be deeply comforting during times of loss.
-The lights, the music, the decorations, and the shared experiences often serve as a temporary escape from the harshness of grief, providing a brief sense of joy, connection, or normalcy. These outward expressions of celebration can offer a semblance of hope, even if that hope is fleeting or superficial.
- People may find themselves drawn to these external expressions of holiday cheer because they offer a familiar pattern that feels safe, like a comforting blanket, even though it doesn’t address the deeper pain of loss.
-During times of grief, the human heart often longs for something tangible or visible to hold on to. The holiday season is filled with things to look forward to, from family gatherings to festive meals to gift-giving. For those struggling with loss, these rituals can feel like a way to “fill the void,” even temporarily, and to numb the emotional weight of grief.
- It’s easier sometimes to focus on the external trappings of the season—whether it's the music, decorations, or social gatherings—because they provide a sense of busyness and distraction. In this way, the holidays become a kind of coping mechanism. However, while these external things may offer momentary relief, they cannot truly heal the deep wounds of the heart.
-I have been guilty of this. I cling to the holidays because they are honestly some of the only bright moment of my childhood and when we actually felt like a family. My mom was awesome during Christmas and so cheerful and when Christmas comes i feel close to her because of those memories. And the last two years i have struggled as Christmas was ending because i felt the memory of my mother was going with it.
-I must turn to Jesus as we all should.
-Turning to Jesus in the midst of grief often requires a deeper vulnerability and a willingness to face the pain directly. Jesus offers comfort, but that comfort isn’t always instantaneous or easy. His peace transcends the pain, but it’s not a quick fix—it’s a healing process that often takes time.
-For some, the idea of turning to Jesus can be difficult in the midst of overwhelming sorrow because it may feel like they are being asked to confront their pain rather than escape it.
-I have done this by writing letters to both my mother and father to help confront the reality of my grief and pain. Only with the help of Jesus guiding me though. While im writing letter to my mother and father in all reality they are for me and my own healing.
-There can be moments of doubt or confusion about God's presence in their suffering. People may wonder, If God is good, why am I experiencing this pain? As a result, it can feel more comforting, though ultimately unfulfilling, to cling to the temporary solace that the holiday season offers, rather than facing the deeper work of leaning into God’s presence in the midst of grief.
-However, as comforting as the holidays may seem, they are not a permanent solution. True peace, joy, and healing come from the presence of Jesus, who understands our grief and promises to be with us in it (Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 11:28-30).
-The days after Christmas can feel particularly heavy because the energy and excitement of the season have faded, leaving only the quiet aftermath. The festive lights are dimmed, the music stops, and people go back to their routines, yet the heartache lingers. There is often a sense of being left behind in the wake of a season that is supposed to be filled with happiness.
-For many, grief doesn’t follow a tidy timeline—it doesn’t simply end when the holiday decorations are put away. The sadness and longing don’t vanish with the turn of the calendar. The emotional heaviness of the days that follow can feel like an ongoing weight, one that’s hard to shake off. In this time, grief can feel more palpable and isolating, and there is a longing for something more—something that will bring peace, hope, and healing.
-In these moments, it’s important to recognize that grief is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of the depth of love and connection we’ve lost. It’s a natural and necessary process of healing.
-And while the pain of grief may feel more intense after Christmas, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on the need for healing and the promise of God’s presence in the midst of our sorrow. The holidays may amplify the pain, but they also point us toward the hope that only God can offer in the midst of our grief.
- While the holidays may bring temporary relief, only Jesus can provide the lasting comfort that sustains us through every season of life. His presence is the only lasting source of hope, joy, and peace, even after the decorations are packed away and the music fades.
-Jesus acknowledges our mourning and offers comfort. Grief does not disqualify us from God's presence, but invites us to experience His tender care.
Scripture: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, CSB)

Hope, Peace, and Joy Beyond the Holidays

-While we may feel sorrow for the night, there is joy that comes with the new day. Jesus gives us the strength to move through our grief and find joy in Him.
Scripture: "Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning." (Psalm 30:5b, CSB)
-This verse reminds us that grief is not eternal. The sorrow may feel overwhelming now, but God’s joy and comfort will come in His timing.
-The joy of Christmas is not limited to a day or season; it’s a lasting joy that comes from knowing Christ. Our hope in Jesus is not a one-time event but a daily reality.
Scripture: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8, CSB)
-The peace that came to earth through Jesus at Christmas is still with us today. His presence is constant, and He continues to offer us hope, joy, and peace every day.
-After His resurrection, Jesus gave a gift of peace to His disciples. This peace is not based on external circumstances but on His presence with us.
Scripture: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful." (John 14:27, CSB)
-Jesus’ peace isn’t temporary like holiday cheer—it’s a lasting peace that transcends our circumstances, even in grief.
We Can Have Peace in the Midst of Grief
-Peace, as God offers it, is not the absence of grief, but the presence of God in the midst of it. Often, we think of peace as a state where all our troubles are gone, where everything is calm and in order. But biblical peace—shalom—is deeper than just an absence of conflict or pain. It’s the sense of God's presence with us, even in the midst of our sorrow, that provides true peace.
-This peace doesn’t erase the pain or immediately remove the source of our grief, but it offers a calm assurance that God is with us, that He understands our heartache, and that He is working within us, even when we can’t see the full picture.
-It’s the peace of knowing that, even when life feels overwhelming, we are not alone. God’s peace is not a temporary fix; it’s a lasting, sustaining presence that strengthens us to face each day with hope.
-This kind of peace gives us the ability to endure through the most difficult times. It doesn’t take away the sadness or numb the pain, but it gives us the strength to keep going. It allows us to heal gradually, not by forgetting or suppressing our grief, but by walking through it with God.
- In His presence, we find the grace to face each moment, to take one step after another, even when the road ahead seems too hard to travel.
-The peace of God doesn’t shield us from pain but enables us to bear it with courage and faith. It reminds us that healing is a process, not an event, and that, though we may not have all the answers or understand why we are grieving, God is faithful to be with us every step of the way.
-His peace is a quiet assurance that, with Him by our side, we can endure, heal, and continue to move forward, trusting that His love will never fail us, no matter how heavy the journey may seem.
-God's peace doesn’t make sense in the face of grief—it guards our hearts and minds and carries us through, even when we don’t understand.
Scripture: "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, CSB)

Moving Forward: Embracing Hope, Joy, and Peace Every Day

-So as we move forward from the Christmas season, we can be confident that God’s presence remains with us, regardless of the calendar or the season. The joy and peace that we celebrate during Christmas are not limited to a single day or time of year. Christmas marks the beginning of God's greatest gift to humanity—His presence made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.
This is not a presence that fades after December 25th; it is a constant reality. In fact, the very reason Jesus came to Earth was to be Emmanuel—God with us (Matthew 1:23). This promise doesn't expire once the decorations come down or the holiday songs stop playing. God’s presence is not tied to a festive season but is something that is available to us every single day.
-We can experience His joy, peace, and hope every morning, even in the routine and mundane, because Jesus has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). His presence is with us not only in times of celebration but also in the quiet moments, in the everyday struggles, and in the times when our hearts ache.
-The peace that we feel during the holidays is not the kind that depends on our external circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging truth of who God is and His constant presence with us.
-This peace continues to guard us when we face challenges, when we experience grief, or when life doesn't feel as joyful as it did during the holiday season. God's peace is not a fleeting feeling; it is a divine assurance that He is with us in every moment, no matter the season.
-His joy doesn’t depend on the Christmas festivities, and neither should ours. We can choose to rest in His joy daily, knowing that He is with us, working in us, and sustaining us through every circumstance.
-As we step into the new year and move forward from the holiday season, we don’t need to wait for another special moment to experience God’s joy and peace.
-They are available to us all the time, every day, because Jesus is always with us. The comfort, peace, and joy we receive at Christmas were never meant to be temporary—they are the gifts of a Savior who is present with us in every season of life.
-Whether we are in a season of celebration or one of sorrow, God's presence remains a constant source of strength. His joy is not circumstantial but is a deep and lasting reality that can fill our hearts, even in the hardest moments.
- We don’t have to wait for a holiday to be reminded of His love and goodness; He is here with us, offering His peace and joy, regardless of the season we are in.
-The hope of Christmas is in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. His resurrection is not a one-time event but a power that is available to us every day.
Scripture: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." (1 Peter 1:3, CSB)
-Our hope is living and active, rooted in the resurrection of Christ. This hope gives us the strength to face each day with joy and peace.
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