by Joanne Wiklund
There will not be a lot of hugging going around this Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and many of us will be alone for both events. Many reasons and ways exist to spread love around this year of all years. Telephones, Zoom, email, cards, letters, signs in people’s yards, packages sent to their door. . . we’re reminded every minute it seems that Christmas is so different this year.
As I thought about it, and the prospect of being alone came closer, I thought of other Christmases. Can we out-worst the worst Christmas by thinking of all the bad things our parents and their families and even us endured in Christmases past? I suppose we could be tempted to do that, and I admit to some of it already. Thinking of what others have been through seems to challenge us sometimes to not think so badly of our present circumstances.
We must focus on what God had done for us. What he does for us lately. I’ve told my hubby that we have been so blessed. For almost 64 years we have been together, three years before that we met. At our old age, I told him often when he would be upset about not being able to do what he used to do, I reminded him that we got up every morning in a house we’ve lived in for over 40 years. We got to come to our same old kitchen table and I poured his coffee. The best thing was, I told him, “I know who you are and you know who I am and we can remember at least most of the events of our lives together.”
The attitude of gratitude is what will get us through this pandemic. We can also know that as always, God Is With Us. Emmanuel. Our friend and confidant. Our loving Savior, born in a stable, died on a cross. Why? Because He loves us. That simple. He loves us. All we have to do is ask Him into our lives and He will sustain us through it all, helping us try to live for Him, honoring our God along the way.
May your Christmas be blessed, and your tree lights stay on. I’m thinking of leaving the tree up until the pandemic is over. I’ll keep you posted on how long I make it.
