Sitting by the fireplace the other evening, I watched the last flame flicker out and thought about the year coming to a close. As the fire died and a small chunk of log smoldered red in the grate, Gungor’s song, “Beautiful Things” came to my mind. In case you aren’t familiar, it’s about God taking the windswept, chaotic trials of our lives and turning them into wondrous, new things that bring him glory. God sweeps up the dust – the ashes, if you will – the burned up remnants of pain and suffering that we would like nothing more than to forget about and toss out, and then he creates something beautiful and enduring out of it.

I think this song has been on my mind partly because, to be completely honest, the holidays are difficult for me. I ache with grief that feels almost like a physical pain. I mask it pretty well between Thanksgiving and Christmas by focusing on the nativity story and enjoying the kids’ wonderment, but then New Year rolls around. As each New Year approaches, I want to join in the festivities but it’s difficult to feel like celebrating when my heart hurts, and January 1st just serves as a harsh reminder that another year has flown by without my brother.

And yet, God can take my sorrow and transform it into peace, and even joy. I know this because I’ve experienced it time and time again, and best of all: I know that my mourning is not forever.

In Isaiah 61, the prophet describes for the Israelites what things will look like in The Year of the Lord’s Favor. In addition to much-anticipated remedies like rebuilding their city and releasing captives from their enemies, Isaiah talks about wearing “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (v. 3, NIV). God is going to take heartache and turn it into delight!

If you are looking forward to the New Year with happy spirits and your chin held high, then marvelous for you! I encourage you to focus on making 2013 your personal Year of the Lord’s Favor by putting him first and foremost in your life and rejoicing in your blessings. If, on the other hand, you are feeling more like I described earlier and the New Year doesn’t seem particularly celebratory, then I hope you will find encouragement in knowing that whatever trials you are going through, the pain will not last forever. The heartache may ebb and flow, but know this: God has already written the last chapter, and he is our Victory over sin and death. Now that is something worth celebrating!