UnHappy Holidays
During the month of December, we often say "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" instead of the standard fare, such as "Hey!" or "How ya doin?" or "Hello." But for some among us the holidays aren't so happy. In fact, you need to know that not everybody revels in the Christmas spirit; instead, some experience an unhappy holiday season. It may be a real struggle for them to get through the holidays after experiencing the death of a loved one or a divorce during the past year. Another challenge people face is having a family member serving overseas in the armed forces; for whatever reason, they can't make it all the way back home for Christmas. Without that special someone in their familiar spot around the family table, it's just not going to be the same this Christmas. The absence creates a void that leaves you feeling incomplete, depressed, dejected.Men and women in prison also experience emotional pain at a higher level of intensity during the holiday season. It's apparent that the period of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is far and away the most difficult time of year for our incarcerated brothers and sisters. One of our inmate-leaders at New Life, Bill reminds us to pray for all the inmates & their families during the unhappy holidays. In Bill's words, "It's hard to be in prison during this time of year." It might be helpful for us to imagine out loud - What would it be like to spend a Christmas in prison? No Christmas tree. No big family gathering on Christmas day. No Christmas dinner with all the fixings. Maybe a Christmas card or two to treasure but certainly no pile of presents to unwrap. It'd be tough.
God's Word calls us to "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." This type of remembering is so much more than cognitive. Instead of a rather mild form of passive pondering, Biblical remembering is always active. The Bible pulls on your heart to remember men and women in prison by taking action. The first thing you can do for prisoners is to remember them in prayer. Pray that they will receive God's comfort and peace throughout their current wilderness experience. Pray that they will trust God to provide Living Water to quench their deep thirst. In Bible times, outsiders needed to visit prisoners in order to provide bread for their stomachs and bandages for their wounds. Modern prisons in the United States provide for the physical needs of the imprisoned. However, emotional needs remain unmet. Certainly if you know someone in prison or jail, set aside time to visit them during the holiday season. It will mean so much to them!
New Life Prison Community knows the value of visiting the men at the Newton Prison. Following the Spirit's call, our faithful volunteers help supply comfort and peace to carry men through the emotionally challenging month of December. Recently Matt was baptized at the Thanksgiving service in the prison gym. Before he was baptized, he wrote these words in a greeting card of thanks: "I had this card made for you to show you how thankful all of us are for what you do. You are our visitors every week and you have become our family. We love you with all our hearts. Thank you for sharing the Word of God with us. God bless you." May God bless each one of you reading this brief article. And don't forget to remember the prisoner!
Rick Admiraal is the pastor of New Life Prison Community, a prison congregation in Newton, Iowa. New Life is quickly approaching its third anniversary of ministry to the imprisoned. It's been an incredible year for New Life, including baptism services, worship, Bible studies and Christian fellowship. New Life has been blessed with a great group of dedicated volunteers, many of whom live in Pella. Rick & his family also live in Pella.
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