Christmas
Looking across the pages of my calendar, I see Christmas looming. Isn’t it strange that the very day we spent most of our lives looking forward to with great anticipation can appear dark and ominous after suffering a catastrophic loss? Perhaps the very fact that Christmas is linked with so many joyful memories make it difficult in these days of sadness and grief.
In the beginning of our grief walk, the major questions we wrestle with are “why” and “what”? Why did this happen? Why did God allow it? What good can come from this? What must we do to survive?
Now with the holiday most associated with joy before us, the question changes from why to how. How will we get through this? How will we spend the day?
Let me tell you how you get through Christmas. It is the same way you will get through today, the same way you got through yesterday. Moment by moment. As with Thanksgiving, it is wise to do things differently. It is wise to be with people, to feel your feelings and to express them.
Remember, you are not Santa Claus. You are not required to make everyone happy this year. Let’s just get through it with as much grace and kindness and love as possible.
Beyond all the carols and the cooking, the tinsel and the presents, we who have lost our children still have hope. Luke 2:9-11 tells us, “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and they were terribly afraid. ‘Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy, which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”
We must concentrate our thoughts daily, and especially at Christmas, on the hope that can only come from Christ and the great gift of eternal life offered to us and our loved ones through His death. Certainly, our emotions will take us up and down and all around, but the truth of our faith is the rock beneath the heaving and quaking ground.
Please connect with me. Let me know your story and if these words help in any way. May the God of Love who walks with you give you comfort and consolation this Christmas season.
