Christmas is such a joyous time! The sounds of laughter, the food and gifts, visits with family and friends seem to abound! Songs on the radio, Christmas cards and decorations are everywhere. But for many reasons Christmas can be difficult time too. Perhaps a family Christmas card can’t be sent out because you are alone for the season or have no family, separated from loved ones by the distance of space, or that of the heart, or of a loved ones passing. A plentiful dinner won’t be on the table or can’t be enjoyed with others. Finances won’t allow gifts to opened or given or travels to be made. In harder times, let’s remember that the story of the first Christmas was also that of hardship, suffering, uncertainty and not having. A young couple far from home and separated from their family. A young mother ready to deliver her very first child forced to ride and walk for long distances. Traveling to a place without knowing where they would stay let or where they would deliver their baby. Lucky enough, if you want to call it lucky, to find a barn full of farm animals that no doubt was not as picturesque or clean as we think of today. If it’s difficult to find the joy that others do today, try to remember what you DO have and not what you do without. Share with others who have less. Even just a friendly greeting, a call, some hospitality is a welcome gift to everyone. Today is your gift from above and think about the possibilities tomorrow and the next day can bring. And please don’t forget that the joy that we celebrate today, the happiness of that very first Christmas day, only came AFTER plenty of hardship. Merry Christmas to all!
