Column: God knows what He's doing because He's long been mending broken hearts

In 1970, Barry and Robin Gibb, two of the three Brothers Gibb, or as you probably know them, the Bee Gees, wrote the song titled "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart." The three brothers, who had been singing and recording since they were boys, had gone through a break up.

Now the song Barry and Robin began, and then completed with the help of their brother, Maurice, became a hit and signaled the end of the alienation that had to torn them apart and torn them up. It's ironic, the lyrics that began with the rending question, "How can you mend a broken heart, how can you keep the rain from falling down?” signaled the end of their own heartbreak.

They were no longer separated, and were working together again. They were back where they belonged.

At Christmas we celebrate the arrival of God the Son into humanity. His incarnation in such humble circumstances signaled the end of a long alienation between God and his creation. The people of God had wandered away from Him and this produced 400 years of silence. Were they getting the silent treatment from God?

No, God, so love the world that he was setting the stage for his unfolding plan of returning humanity to where we belonged. He was preparing a brokenhearted world for an infusion of joy, and it was announced to some lowly shepherds near Bethlehem with . . . I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10b (ESV). Joy for ALL the people!

But, really, for all the people? Why then are there still broken hearts this happy season. The reality is many of us have experienced deep loss in this past year and joy isn’t something that can be easily summoned. It just hurts too much. Heartbreak is real and undeniable. But what also cannot be denied is that God sent his Son to mend broken hearts.

The Psalmist wrote, The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34.18 (ESV). So when the festive Christmas lights and happy carols you hear out of practically every speaker fail to stop the rain from falling down in your broken heart, know that God knows your pain. He’s been there before.

In a stable that became a delivery room on a dark Bethlehem street, Mary wrapped her infant son in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger (Luke 2:7). These were no ideal circumstances by any stretch, but from that humble beginning came, to quote a carol, comfort and joy for a hurting world. If you are broken hearted this season, allow a God who is no longer silent to wrap you in his own comforting arms.

He knows what he’s doing because he has long been in the business of mending broken hearts.

Keith A. Tyson is the pastor Ashland Brethren in Christ Church.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Column: Christmas meaning can mend broken hearts