A different Christmas

As a child, I loved Christmas. Especially when we used advent calendars with treats on each of the days as we approached December 25. Each day offered a candy reward to whoever’s turn it was to uncover the next box. That was fun. But Mom and Dad haven’t been around for Christmas for many years. The holidays are not the same.

Loneliness plagues many during the Christmas season. This is understandable. Something (or someone) is sadly missing from our celebrations. But how can we get past the past?

How far back do we go to remember a happy Christmas? All the way to childhood? Our teen years? Our early marriage years? When-there-were-young-kids-running-around years? Last year? Reviewing happy times can be encouraging, but if we need to go back to our childhood to remember a happy Christmas with an advent candy calendar, maybe that’s too far back.

At our house we can remember happy Christmases by looking at our Christmas tree ornaments, some dating back to our early married life together. There’s an ornament from my wife’s parents, and sand dollars collected from a North Carolina beach. A blown glass pineapple. And walnuts. Each marks a path taken, a time of different adventure. We’ve had many happy Christmases. None were the “same” and all were happy.

We can take comfort remembering that part of Christmas is always the same. The “good news of great joy” announced to the shepherds by the angel is what it’s all about. (Luke 2:10-11) The promised Redeemer, sent by God, to pay our debt of sin at Calvary. God’s mercy and grace offered to us!

Maybe start a new Christmas family tradition this year? Do you know of anyone spending Christmas alone? How could you reach out to make their Christmas different by including them in your family celebration?

And for your own encouragement, read Psalm 146. I have found it helpful.