"to taste our sadness"

Today is Christmas Eve Eve, better known in our house as Christmas Adam. Over the past few days, ALL of us girls (plus some brother-in-laws) who no longer live at home have gradually trickled in for Christmas. It's nice having everyone home, and it's nice being away for a while and having the chance to chill. Don't get me wrong - I've had plenty to do. I'm working on Bible Study planning for next semester, and trying to discipline myself to get some of my reading for December finished, instead of only hanging out around the house. I complain, but I really do enjoy it. Really.

And in the midst of my Christmas excitement, I'm hearing from some of my students who are really struggling to be at home for the holidays. The email I just read in response to my "how's it going/merry christmas" message nearly broke my heart. And there are others, too. So many girls from disfunctional and broken families, where Christmas, more than anything, is painful. Some girls have asked for my advice on how to handle their situations. It's weird, sitting here in Starbucks, trying to lesson plan, and feeling so helpless, and like I'm going to burst into tears any second. Really. I know. So I'm asking you to take an extra moment out of your holidays and join me in prayer for these sweet students.

Probably my favorite hymn ever is "Come, thou long expected Jesus", and I'm really sad that people hardly ever sing the middle two verses. Here is the third:

Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end.
By His life He brings us gladness,
Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall,
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.

Of course, that's the Christmas story. That Christ entered our broken and sad world to experience our pain and sadness, and to suffer for us. But that's not the end of the story either. He's coming back to finish the work of redemption, to finish making everything right and wipe away every tear.