Ever just sit back and wonder what the view from the other side is like? Like what is it like to watch days and events unfold from a heavenly perspective? Take Christmas for example. What was heaven like on the first Christmas day? God knew what was about to happen and all the details surrounding it, but what about the rest of heaven? Did they know today’s the day! Were they busy planning and preparing, knowing Mary was gonna go into labor that night? Did they know there would be no room or were the heavenly hosts watching and wondering what was going to happen as events unfolded? Did anyone yell “plot twist!”? What did the star look like from heaven?  When it was their time to make the birth announcement – were they ready and waiting with anticipation to make the birth of Jesus known? Were there try outs for the speaking role? Did they practice with each other? 

I’ve been thinking a lot about the light aspect lately. Going so far as lighting a candle each morning during my quiet time. I severely dislike this time of year when it seems to be dark ALL THE TIME! So any bit of extra light helps me focus and lifts my spirit a bit. I just can’t help but wonder how bright the light was the night Jesus was born! I imagine it so bright and dazzling, like you can’t really look at it directly, but also can’t take your eyes off it either. So bright, so pure, so perfect. Which of course it was, because the True Light was lying there in Mary’s arms. 

As miraculous as Christmas must have been from heaven, what about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection?! With every hammer strike of the nails did they cry out in agony or just sit back waiting for what they knew was coming in three short days? I imagine tears flowing freely, cheering mixed with deep cries of pain. So many more emotions than we could ever imagine. Think about what it must have been like for God the Father to see His Son born – bursting with pride, but at the same time deeply saddened knowing what would come in 33 short years. Imagine God watching as His Son was beaten, mocked, ridiculed and sentenced to die. The unbelievable agony He must have felt! The deafening quietness there must have been when the curtain began to rip right down the middle and Jesus announced “it is finished”!

But then! The real plot twist comes and Jesus conquers death! – Talk about a heavenly party! I imagine that same bright light, cracking through the darkness once again! Angels cheering, the Father just sitting there, not saying a word but looking down again with an even greater pride than at His birth.  Thinking to Himself – this, this right here is the moment we’ve been working towards and waiting for. 

The laughter and joy of heaven when  they watched  stone get rolled away, and the empty tomb exposed. To be able to take in every look, every facial expression, every detail Jesus’ friends experienced that day! To be able to see Mary’s face when Jesus calls her name that first time! Just wow! Man, it would be so cool to see things from the eternity side!!

It was two years ago this week when my mom got to meet Jesus face to face and now I often catch myself wondering what life is like in heaven. When the heavenly hosts realize a saint is coming home – what’s it like? Are there welcome parties planned? Do those they knew and loved here on earth gather around to welcome them or is it Jesus Himself that welcomes and ushers them into eternity? I just can’t help but wonder how many seemingly small and insignificant events for us, are really meant to prepare us for the loss of a loved one? The chance meetings, the relationships formed at just the right time, the conversations, the everything. I know God is in the details because I’ve experienced it personally. 

My youngest daughter is finishing up nursing school this week. A two year journey she began following the passing of her grandma. Because of the passing of her grandma. Not a coincidence that her last class is on the same day as mom passed. Which makes me wonder all the more about the heavenly perspective of things. There have been so many joys my mom has missed from this side, what’s it been like from the eternal side for her? I know she would be so very proud, not just of Cas but of her two great granddaughters born this last year, the high school graduation of her youngest grandson, the courage of her oldest granddaughter going back to school for her master’s degree and so much more! How cool for her to be able to celebrate all these things with her Savior! I don’t know what it’s like in heaven, but I often wonder about it and I’m excited to find out one day! 

If you are hurting this holiday season, please know you are not alone! There are others of us out here walking on this journey Jesus, trying so hard to stay on the narrow road and choose to stay in the light. We know there are easy days and hard ones and how the grief and sadness often comes on unexpectedly and out of nowhere. We know how tempting it is to hide ourselves away from the light and from life. Jesus says in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”. My prayer and encouragement is that you run to Jesus first and then bravely share your journey with others. After all, Jesus planned for us to walk this journey with others even before we realized what He was doing and how He was preparing us this season. He’s cool like that!