Seasons

Tis the season to be jolly.... or so the saying goes. I personally love this time of year. Family time. Getting together and enjoying life lived with those you love. Seeing folks who you've missed for a while. In our case, swimming and cooking with the kids and grandkids. Fun times to be had by all....

But not all. There are many people who don't enjoy this time of year. They have experienced trauma, loss, or some other calamity during this season. They don't have good memories of this time of year. They may not have good memories of any time of year and this season just exacerbates those negative feelings of loneliness or loss. They just want January to get here so that life can get back to "normal" for them without the daily reminders of what they're missing.

Those of us who enjoy this time need to be more mindful of those whose experiences are not as jolly. I am bad about thinking that everyone loves the Christmas/Hannukah season. I forget that there are bad things happening to good and bad people. I forget that this season (and others) are not the favorites of everyone. I forget....

I am trying to become a more compassionate person when I remember those to whom this season isn't jolly. Those folks who can't be joyful at this time of year. Those folks who have experienced loss or disappointments that I may never face. Those whose personalities are geared toward the negative rather than the positive of this season. I need to pray more that the God of Joy will make Himself more visible to those whose hearts are troubled and whose joy is limited or nonexistent at this time.

If you or someone you know can't get into the joy of this season, please reach out to them with a message of hope. Let them know that the baby whose birth is celebrated at this time is a person they need to know. Let them know about the baby that grew up to be the Savior that we all need. Let them know that Jesus is the source of all joy. It's OK to be sad at times. It's OK to remember and grieve and give in to emotions at times. That's human. But the joy that a relationship with Jesus can bring will overcome those feelings and help them to look at life (and this season) with a new eye. He was born to bring hope into the world. He was born to bring peace to a world of conflict. We are all able to participate in that joy and peace thru a relationship with the baby Jesus !!!!

Join with me and pray for those whose joy is incomplete. Pray that they (and all of us) realize that sadness and grief are OK, but temporal. Joy in Jesus is eternal and we can all have it and enjoy it, especially during this Christmas season.

Feliz Naidad !!!!!