December 26. It’s over. You made it. Now we can go back to business as usual.
I’m talking to those of you who dreaded to see the Christmas season come and are now glad to see it go. If you put up a tree, it’s already down and all the decorations are packed away for another year.
I’m sorry. I know there are many for whom this holiday is more painful than celebratory. I’m glad I saw more acknowledgement of that this year than I have seen before. Hopefully there was also more understanding for those who grieve or are lonely or simply discontent in some way or for some reason. Deep down there may be a certain joy that Christ came into the world as a baby to save us and give us eternal life. But on the surface it’s very difficult to “feel the Christmas spirit.”
Our pastor began the Christmas Eve message with “Christmas is just different this year.” And of course it is. With the anxiety we all share about the world situation, it’s hard to decide which is our reality: the concern in our hearts or the festivities going on around us.
The reality I cling to is this: The world has had some rocky years in the past. We are not the first generation to fear the future and probably not the last. God loves this world. He loves us. And that’s a reason to “celebrate.”
God Bless you on this Second Day of Christmas.
I hope God loves this world. I trust God loves this world. But if God gives us free will, will God save this world of ours? Good food for thought. xoxo
Agree. That’s a very good reason to celebrate.
I love Christmas so much that it’s hard for me to imagine not finding joy in the season. But I know lots of people struggle during this time. Thanks for the reminder.