Death at Christmas

“Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”” (Matthew 2:16–18, ESV)

Death at Christmas

One of the most difficult part of the Christmas season is remembering those who are not celebrating with us. In these moments when families gather to celebrate and connect with one another, the reality that some are not with us presses firmly upon our souls. We notice the empty seat where grandpa used to sit, or the pie that our sister always made, or the funny gifts that our uncle always gave the nieces and nephews. We mourn and grieve over their absence. 

Death has always been part of the Christmas story. We have tried to sanitize and sentimentalize the Christmas story to make it feel all warm and fuzzy. Yet, death is still part of the story. Herod really killed all the children under the age of two in Bethlehem. Mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters really wept over their lost loved ones. They cried out with “loud lamentation” and “refused to be comforted” because they lost their beloved children. 

Death Surrounded Jesus

This is one act that marked the beginning of Jesus’ life—the massacre of children—the attempt to murder him in cold blood. People were trying to kill Jesus before he had even spoken a word. Death surrounded his life from beginning to the end. Death marked his birth. His life was marked by taking on a finite body, tainted with death. And his final moments on this earth, were marked by another plot to kill him in cold blood—one that was successful in taking his life. Not only is the Christmas story surrounded by death, but death surrounded Jesus’ entire life. 

Death Conquered by Jesus

Despite death surrounding Jesus—marking the beginning, middle, and end of his life—death had no sway over him. The seemingly successful murder of the Messiah only resulted in death being overcome. “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces…” (Isaiah 25:8, ESV). “‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54–57, ESV). 

Christmas Comfort in Death

During this Christmas season, we will grieve over the loss of our loved ones. That is an act that is good and right. Yet, we do “not grieve as others do who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, ESV). 

As we celebrate Christmas, remembering our lost loved ones, we are reminded that Jesus Christ was born into the world to save sinners and overcome death. We are reminded that Jesus Christ was born so we would not have to grieve as those who have no hope. We can grieve as those who worship a Savior who lived and died so we could die and then live forever in eternity with Him, along with our loved ones.