This Christmas season, as we celebrate the joy and hope brought by the birth of Christ, let us also make space for those who are walking through seasons of grief, hardship, and sorrow. For some, the brightness of the holiday season can feel overwhelming, especially when facing loss or struggles. If this is you, please know that you are seen, you are loved, and you are not alone. Reach out to someone—whether it’s a friend, a family member, or someone in your faith community—because sharing your burdens is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.
Even in the midst of pain, we can take comfort in the fact that God, our personal and loving Father, is always with us. His light overcomes any darkness, His hope overcomes any obstacle. His presence brings peace that transcends understanding.
In Scotland, a Communitas church partner who has a vibrant ministry with Persian immigrants is observing the Advent season, navigating both grief and the anticipation of Christmas. This year, they mourn the loss of their beloved pastor, Wes, who passed away. Yet, even through their sorrow, they are preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ, alongside their celebration of Yalda—a Persian holiday rich with meaning.
Yalda, meaning birth or renewal, marks the winter solstice—the longest night of the year. For centuries, it symbolized the victory of light over darkness in ancient Persia. Carol, a leader of the Upper Room church, shares that this holiday has been redeemed, with its deep cultural symbolism now pointing to the true Light of the world: Jesus Christ. The dark winter night gives way to the promise of the dawn, just as Christ’s birth brought the promise of redemption to a dark world.
“We celebrate the light of Jesus,” Carol explains. “The light that shines in the darkness and overcomes sin and death.” Yalda, which is celebrated across countries like Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan, incorporates cultural traditions like sharing watermelon and pomegranate, whose red color represents the dawn breaking through the night. By redeeming this Persian holiday, cultural traditions are celebrated with the glory of God in mind.
May God’s light shine over you during this Christmas season, to brighten your paths and overcome your sorrow. May God’s light shine through you that you may be a light to others, helping them overcome their darkness through the love of Jesus Christ. As we reflect on 2024 and celebrate Christ’s birth, let’s honor God in every moment, noticing how His miracle of birth transforms everything—bringing light, life, and love to a broken world. Consider partnering with Communitas’ incarnational movement and continuing this vital work!
