Empty seat at Christmas dinner? 7 encouraging scriptures for this holiday season

OPINION:

The fact that I can write this article during the Christmas season says so many things. First, it tells me that healing is happening. That brings so much encouragement. Writing this article also means that I am ready to share a piece of our family’s story. Because like yours, every family has a testimony that has not always been easy, but it is one that can help others make it through.

Our daughter recently told me, “Whenever you share your testimony, it is not something to be ashamed of. It is you declaring the victory through Jesus over the enemy.”

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Last, writing this article also means that our family is in a season of new beginnings. When loss occurs, we tend to hang onto the past, especially when it was so very special. And too many times, we forget that God has something incredibly beautiful planned for our future. He is not just the God of yesterday, He is the God of tomorrow.

For the past 28 years, our tradition has been for each member of our family to pick out a new Christmas ornament for the large nine-foot tree that stands majestically in our home. My wife and I also choose one special ornament for the two of us.

Over the past few years however, gazing at the collection has brought not only happiness, but at times also some sadness.

The ornaments fill my mind with so many happy memories … Madame Alexander dolls, sports figures, Star Wars characters, and milestone moments in the lives of our children. But as each holiday season arrives, it also brings the realization that there are ornaments, currently five, that are missing. Those ornaments would have looked perfect alongside the others that adorn our beautiful tree. You see, the number five represents each year that a seat has been empty around OUR family’s table during the holiday season.

So, my friend, I want you to know that you are not alone.

For some families, that empty seat represents a prodigal child. For others, it might represent a fractured relationship, the loss of a loved one, a broken covenant, or separation because of distance. Every family experiences “the empty seat” eventually, and no matter what the circumstances are, healing can happen, and the holidays can continue to bring peace, joy, and love to those around your table.

Jesus is the light, and His love outshines every family situation, every hurt, every prodigal story, and every loss that you have ever dealt with.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. (John 8:12)

Below, are seven scriptures that I am praying will help bring peace, hope, and healing to you and your family this Christmas season. Jesus still heals. He still restores. He still speaks life. And He does have a beautiful plan and purpose for your family. Please don’t ever forget that.

1. Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

No matter what circumstance you find yourself in, God’s peace is perfect and the strength He provides each of us far outweighs the cares of this world. Seek the Lord and He will be faithful.

2. Ephesians 3:16-18

I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. (Ephesians 3:16–18)

Just as God’s peace is perfect, His love for you is unending. Some of you may be feeling abandoned, lost, rejected, and unloved. But friend, you are not unloved. God sees you and He knows the burden that you are carrying this holiday season. While life may look different than you thought it would, God is not finished with your story yet. His love is true, and He will always be there for you.

3. Romans 8:38-39

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38–39)

Sometimes it is easy to look at how big the mountain is and forget the size of our God. Do you really think that somehow God is intimidated by the situation that surrounds that empty seat at your table? He is not. There is nothing too big for our God and there is nothing that can separate us from His love.

4. Deuteronomy 31:8

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Fear has a way of trying to paralyze its victims and it causes us to run and hide. It makes us anxious, and it keeps us in a constant state of worry. It is time to lay the fear and discouragement aside once and for all. The Lord will fight this battle for you. He is your defender, and He will never leave you alone.

5. Romans 15:13

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

The confident hope that God provides allows us to look beyond the circumstances that we find ourselves in and embrace Ephesians 3:20 which says, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

6. Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

I don’t know about you, but being still and waiting can be really difficult for me. Sometimes, it seems like God’s timeline is taking much longer than I want it to. However, I have learned that in the season of waiting, God is always at work. I must be patient and realize that His timing is so much better than mine. So, while you are being still and waiting on Him to move, seek Him with everything, because He will be found by you (see Jeremiah 29:14).

7. Luke 2:8-14

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. (Luke 2:8–14)

This Christmas season, may we all embrace the good news that the angels delivered that beautiful night. May we celebrate the birth of our Savior with great joy. That empty seat at your table is not the end of your story. Now walk in hope and peace, knowing that God is with you. You are greatly loved, and you will never be alone.

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This piece originally appeared on Think Eternity with Matt Brown.

Dr. Jason Robinson is an Associate Professor of Education at Lee University in southeast Tennessee. Jason is a local, state, and national award-winning educator who has a passion for teaching and equipping the next generation of leaders. He and his family reside in Cleveland, Tennessee.