(Re-posted from December 24, 2013 by Martha)

How do you say “Merry Christmas” to a child who might have recently experienced his parents divorcing, has had a loved one to die, been the target of bullying, has a loved one in jail, and the list could go on and on.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been writing on Surviving the Holidays after a loss. I kid you not; grieving is hard. It is crazy and takes on many different twists, and has been compared to waves that wash in when you least expect them, especially during the holidays.

Having said that, I have to believe that the healing of emotional scars brought on by losses is like planting seeds in a garden and watching them grow. Come with me while I suggest seeds to plant in your child’s garden (his heart) during this Christmas season, as well as the up-coming year.

God Hurt Inside Seed

The Bible tells about the first time that God experienced a loss. It happened like this:

When God created Adam and Eve, they became His very special friends. He made the beautiful Garden of Eden to be their home, and He walked and talked with them every day in the garden. As you know, He told them everything in the garden was theirs to enjoy, but gave them this warning:

“You may eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the Tree of Good and Evil, for its fruit will open your eyes to make you aware of right and wrong, good and bad. If you eat its fruit, you will be doomed to die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

And, of course, they did just what God told them not to do. Their sin separated them from God and He experienced his first loss – the loss of Adam and Eve’s friendship, as well as all the other people born into the world after them. This loss of friendship made God Hurt Inside.

The Birth of Jesus Seed

Because God still loved people so much, one day He sent His son, Jesus, into the world. It happened like this:

That night, some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem!” (Luke 2:8-11)

Jesus’ birth paved the way for the day He would shed His blood for man’s sins and would give people an opportunity to be friends with God again as they received Him as their Savior. Thus, God’s loss of friendship was healed and restored.

The Healing of the Broken-Hearted Seed

But, God sent Jesus into the world to do something else, too. During his ministry on earth, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath, opened the book of the prophet Isaiah, and began to read:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; He has sent me to Heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressor, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to Him.” (Luke 4:18)

Jesus’ birth paved the way, not only for our salvation but, yes, The Healing of the Broken-Hearted.

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I believe all these seeds planted in your child’s life, is a message of hope for an emotional and spiritual birth that will be birthed in our own lives and in the life of our children after a loss. Watch for the day, when your child will blossom as a beautiful array of flowers, and in turn, he will plant seeds into others’ lives.

Hannah and I would like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas, and blessings to you during this Holiday Season and in the coming year.”