The Empty Chair - Part 2

Recently I wrote about The Empty Chair which recognized the harsh reality many of us face during the Christmas season: The Empty Chair of a loved around the dining room table or even in the family room who is not with us. "The Empty Chair - Part 2" is a follow-up which discusses the joyful reality of another Empty Chair. Read on... The Empty Chair - Part 2 Twas the Christmas season when all through God’s house The Angels, The Saints were all hurrying and scurrying. No one and I mean no one was as quiet as a mouse! Preparations for the Christmas festivities were all in full gear The celebration of the Newborn King was drawing near. Get out the plates, the goblets and the perfectly shined silverware The fine linen napkins and the brightly colored tablecloths were being placed here, there, everywhere! Ten gallon sized pitchers with wine, lemonade and Mountain Dew filled to the brim For this party was over the top, there would be no need to skim O the garnishes, O the party favors, O the decor Nothing but the best, no less, no more!   The music filled every room, every corner of the heavenly air with trumpets, guitars, organ, violins and even the drum snare Praise, praise, praise as you have never heard here on this earth Holy, holy, holy bellowed every instrument and voice for all they were worth The Trinity of God the Father, God the Spirit and Jesus the Son Were making their grand entrance for the feast of all feasts of Victory won. Love filled every heart, Joy and Compassion on every face, Grace with every smile Saints of all colors stretched for mile after mile   There was my granddaddy Dendy and his beautiful bride Nana, grandfather Paw Paw and grandmother Jerry Beside them was my dad, Marshall, my dear friend Skip, Uncle Dallas and wouldn’t you know, there was my cousin Gary! My birth Mom Betty Jean was one of the newest kids on the block How long had she been there? No one really knew, there’s no timetable in heaven, and definitely no clock. O and look over there, my nine week old friend Hannah Noel whose spirit was as bright and beautiful as a new shiny bell. The list and the faces I see, I could go on and on long into the night To tell you, to share with you their joy, their merriment and their sheer delight   A hush fell over this heavenly crowd, this gathering of glory When Mary the Mother of Jesus got ready to tell “The Story.” When all of a sudden there arose such a clatter Everyone turned to see, what was the matter. And then everyone burst out with such laughter and such glee There was one more activity, one more item to set out for this Christmas Anniversary. Everyone ran and ran with such deliberation, expectation and with such care Each one returned to their table, with one extra, one empty chair!   With such clarity and with such purpose, room for the empty chair was made at every table The reason behind this empty chair was not clear to me, the understanding of this rich tradition I was not able. When along came an angel with a saint by his side “Have a seat my son and let us tell you why the empty chairs sit at the table far and wide…” We know the Christmas Season, this happy and special time of the year Can be a time, a season of solace, an occasion of little or no cheer. For as people gather to feast, and to celebrate – for some of us there sits the empty chair There it sits, the empty chair upon where one of our dear loved ones used to bear. And now all we can do is behold the emptiness of the chair and simply stare With our emotions on our sleeves and our hearts flayed wide open and bare.   So… the tradition began in the kingdom of heaven’s glory To give hope to the sometimes hopeless earthly empty chair story Around the heavenly tables, yes there sit empty chairs And yes, the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before, behold them but not with hopeless stares For each of those chairs has a name of one far below Who has not quite yet entered the heavenly, angelic flow For each empty chair patiently waits to be filled By one of you who trusts in the Lamb of God whose blood was spilled. Eternal life to those is a gleeful, joyful, playful guarantee With a 100% satisfaction warranty Each stately chair with its high back, thick cushion and legs of four Waits for the day when you will waltz in through heaven’s door Take heart, fill your hearts with hope, love and grace The loved one you miss sits at our heavenly table, they have taken their place Food on the table, drink in their hand, surrounded by loved ones, smile on their face. Do not worry and do not fret Your heavenly seat has your name plate on it, you bet The day will come, it won’t be long The heavenly empty chair you will sit and sing your joyful song Rest easy my friend, take comfort from the Savior’s care. This Christmas, there is reserved just for you, the one, the only, heavenly Empty Chair! Amen... Grace and Peace, Laugh often. Fear not. David!

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