"Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her king . . . "children-singing-christmas-song
"Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la"
Over the next few days, many will struggle to find "joy" or "jolly." I 'm thinking of dear friends who unexpectedly lost loved ones this year; a family shattered by a spouse 's infidelity in such a way that never again will the family sit together for a Christmas meal; my peer in ministry with crushing health issues; the "man or maid" alone on this holiday that seems to demand companionship; a wife who finally just had enough of her husband 's meanness and walked away, for the first time she faces a fractured Christmas; an elder who has managed to outlive her peers and her children; those parents whose son will not make a Skype call from Afghanistan this year, his death a few months back the result of an …show more content…
Matthew allows those who suffered depressing loss to own and mourn their loss. Neither the original prophet Jeremiah or Matthew criticize the residents of Bethlehem who lamented, wept and mourned - at the time of Christ 's birth. It is fine for their to be some tears at Christmas tables. You have permission to feel what you are feeling! Don 't apologize.
The visit by the wise men; and Rachel 's weeping for her murdered children happened in close proximity. The lesson: sorrow and joy can co-exist. Loneliness and hope often use the same mailbox. Your sadness and depression should not define other people 's experience, nor should you expect it too. Children will laugh and enjoy their new toys; the ugly sweater contest will happen, even if you don 't participate; and MawMaw 's turkey and dressing will be as wonderful as ever. So . . . don 't pull your shroud of despair over everyone
"Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la"
Over the next few days, many will struggle to find "joy" or "jolly." I 'm thinking of dear friends who unexpectedly lost loved ones this year; a family shattered by a spouse 's infidelity in such a way that never again will the family sit together for a Christmas meal; my peer in ministry with crushing health issues; the "man or maid" alone on this holiday that seems to demand companionship; a wife who finally just had enough of her husband 's meanness and walked away, for the first time she faces a fractured Christmas; an elder who has managed to outlive her peers and her children; those parents whose son will not make a Skype call from Afghanistan this year, his death a few months back the result of an …show more content…
Matthew allows those who suffered depressing loss to own and mourn their loss. Neither the original prophet Jeremiah or Matthew criticize the residents of Bethlehem who lamented, wept and mourned - at the time of Christ 's birth. It is fine for their to be some tears at Christmas tables. You have permission to feel what you are feeling! Don 't apologize.
The visit by the wise men; and Rachel 's weeping for her murdered children happened in close proximity. The lesson: sorrow and joy can co-exist. Loneliness and hope often use the same mailbox. Your sadness and depression should not define other people 's experience, nor should you expect it too. Children will laugh and enjoy their new toys; the ugly sweater contest will happen, even if you don 't participate; and MawMaw 's turkey and dressing will be as wonderful as ever. So . . . don 't pull your shroud of despair over everyone