Francesca Battistelli had planned to release "Behold Him" in 2019 as part of a Christmas project. She felt God telling her to "push pause" on releasing the song, sensing its message would be relevant for the following year. I'm so glad she listened to God.
2020 has been a year filled with more grief, loss and trial than usual. The world is facing a global pandemic, economic hardship, social division and unrest. Each of us has our own personal challenges we're experiencing in the midst of all that. "Behold Him" is a gift from God in the form of a song. Through it, He reminds us we can look to Him and His strength when our hearts are weighed down by a hard year and hard holiday season.
In your silent night/When you're not alright/Lift your eyes and behold him/Feel the thrill of hope/You are not alone/In this moment, behold him
God with Us in Our Pain
She put up the tree/Stockings, one, two, three/They all know one is missing/It's been a whole year/ Without him right here/Won't be the same kind of Christmas
The holidays can be a bittersweet time for a lot of people. The joy of celebration is often mingled with the pain of loss or struggle in a season that's supposed to be filled with hope. For some, people we love are not with us, either because they've passed away or because living through a pandemic has created isolation from the ones we cherish most. For others, we're facing very real emotional, financial, or relational challenges.
I've been listening to "Behold Him," thinking that 2020 has been painful to us in different ways. And, I can't get away from this thought: Jesus was born into our world during a season of pain. Jesus came first to His chosen people and His lineage, the people of Israel. And through them, He would be revealed to the whole world. This is the nation of people who had known God--worshipped Him, walked with Him, obeyed His commands, received His promises, and witnessed His miracles.
At the time in history, when Jesus arrived, Israel hadn't heard God's voice for 400 years. They had all these promises of a coming Messiah--a Savior and King--they were eagerly waiting for, but not knowing when they'd be fulfilled. They were being oppressed by a foreign nation that had occupied their land. Into these people and cultural context, Jesus makes His entrance on the first Christmas.
Don't you think that sounds like a bittersweet, complicated Christmas, much like the one many of us are facing in 2020?
This time of year, we sing songs and preach sermons from Matthew 1:23 about Jesus being "Immanuel" which means "God is with us." This Christmas, I believe Jesus is inviting you and me to remember that He's not only the God who saves, He's the God who draws near.
God Understands Our Pain
December twenty-third/Four months out of work/And the bills just keep coming/Trying to stay strong/But he wonders how long/He'll come home empty-handed
What's more than Jesus being close to us in our pain? In Hebrews 2:14-18 and Hebrews 4:14-16, we learn that Jesus is familiar with the weaknesses and trials of the human experience because He lived through them and overcame them. He knows what it's like to be tested, tempted, and tired. He knows what it's like to experience loss and rejection, emotional, as well as physical pain.
Isaiah 53 refers to Jesus as a "man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief." How merciful is our God that He would subject Himself to the pains of our human experience, so He could relate to us and give us a model for how to walk through them?
God Helps Us in Our Pain
Born to seek and born to save/Born to take our pain away/God with us, Emmanuel/In his arms, all will be well
When your heart is burdened and you're dealing with struggles, you have an open invitation from Jesus to pour your heart out to Him; your God who understands your weaknesses. In Hebrews 4:16, we learn that, when we approach God with our weakness, He responds by giving us grace and mercy.
His help could look like changing our circumstances, shifting our perspective, as well as giving us strength to endure or comforting our heart. He knows what you need most in each moment and every situation; you can trust Him.
Final Word
You're not carrying yourself through this season. Jesus Himself is upholding you and fighting for you, even if you can't fully see it or feel it right now. (Psalm 139:7-12) Whatever pain or burden you're carrying this year, know that Jesus is with you. He's your hope and strength, your comforter and friend. So take courage; lift your eyes to your Savior who loves you. Behold Him. Worship Him. Lean on Him.
"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." (Psalm 105:4 NIV)
Find "Behold Him" on Francesca's Christmas album, This Christmas. Buy the album on Apple Music or stream it on Spotify. Read the full lyrics of "Behold Him" here.
NRT contributor Jasmin Patterson is a lifelong fan of Christian music who is passionate about helping others connect with Christ. She lives in Kansas City where she serves in college ministry and runs a blog to help seekers and believers discover and live biblical Christianity.
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