Blessed by Lack

At this year’s Christmas gathering a few days ago I shared a little about my family history—especially my Dad’s poverty-stricken childhood.  For Dad, Christmas was a hit-or-miss occasion.  More often than not, his Dad’s paycheck were transformed into alcohol rather than Christmas gifts and Christmas meals. 

Bottom line, there were very few good Christmas memories connected to my Dad’s childhood.

His response?  Christmas was a BIG deal in our home.  Because of this, unlike my Dad’s childhood, I have a lot of good memories surrounding Christmas.

After Dad got out of the Navy, my parents and I moved to Greenville SC to attend Holmes Bible College.  Mom and Dad had little money and lived in an ancient RV that had no running water. 

We lived in that RV for at least two years and, in spite of meager resources, the Christmases we celebrated there were amazing.  The family picture album records those Christmases.  Many of those pictures show me sitting by the Christmas tree surrounded by an abundance of presents. 

Dad’s lack ended up being a blessing for me.

Lack…

That’s a word we don’t like and Christmas really punctuates it. 

Looking at our Christmas shopping list reminds of our lack of resources. 

Planning our Christmas meals reminds us of family squabbles, strained and alienated relationships, and the resultant lack of some who will not be present.

Empty seats at the Christmas service reminds us of our prodigals.

The lack-list is almost endless.

Top on my mind this year is processing the lack of my Mother being with us for Christmas.  (How does that even work?)  I know I will not be alone in this endeavor. 

Bottom line, lack is tough—especially at Christmas.

But what we must not do is allow our lack to knock us off track.  Ultimately, Christmas is about Immanuel – God coming to earth.  In light of our current circumstances, nothing has changed about that.  Thus hope springs forth eternally.

We must dare to celebrate still.  If it requires sacrifice, hard work, putting our own feelings to the side…whatever.  The whole premise of Christmas is based on lack—how can a lost humanity, completely alienated and cut off from a holy God, ever find their way back? 

God had an answer and it started on that first Christmas. 

And we too must have an answer to our lack.  We cannot allow bitterness, sadness, regrets, and loss stop us.  Our lack is not the end of the story.  Our lack is an invitation to start a new and different beginning.  Bottom line, our lack can be a motivation to be a blessing to others.

In closing, from Sonja and me, let me wish each reader a very heartfelt Merry Christmas.  May you find abundance of all that really matters and grace to leverage your lack to be a blessing to others.

All for the glory of Jesus our Savior.

Wishing you a very merry and blessed Christmas,

David L. Kemp

Administrative Bishop | Michigan Church of God

Photo by Klim Musalimov on Unsplash