Mixed Emotions

I am struggling a little bit today. I love this time of year and yet, the excitement that I have is always tempered with some sadness. I watched and listened today as our wonderful choir and orchestra put on a beautiful performance. The songs of joy for our sweet Savior's birth were inspiring. It has just been in the last few years that I can actually attend a performance like that. My father was a music minister and he loved putting together the Christmas and Easter musicals for our church. Some of the sweetest memories I have are of him sitting in his chair with his huge headphones on going over the music again and again. Since he has gone to be with the Lord, these performances, Christmas particularly, are very hard for me, as it was shortly after his Christmas musical that my father passed away. So the last few years that I have been able to make it through the performance, I am overwhelmed by the beautiful sounds, and yet hold back the tears because I always picture my dad up there directing. Even as I listened to the words of the songs I was overcome with the same sadness for Jesus. The truth of the matter is that Jesus did come as a sweet little boy, much like mine. But how he lived, and died so young, and so brutally......joy of His birth, sadness for His death. And yet, His death and resurrection, holds the key of hope for all who believe. So it is joy mixed with sadness that I feel this time of year. As I get older though, I am appreciative of every day I have with my family and every blessing the Lord has given me. For we don't know what tomorrow brings, but it is the hope that only comes from Jesus' birth, death and resurrection that we cling to.