I LOVE Christmas! I do... a whole lot! But this year the joy is a bit tough to find ...this year will be the hardest year. There will be more empty places and less faces. My family seems to have spent more time in the wilderness in the past ten years than most people I know.The joy of the season could quite possibly be a little less merry and bright this year as we gather around the tree, Christmas morning, at my Grandma's house. It will be my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary and the first one with out Grandpa. It will be hard, there will be tears... BUT, there is still joy in the season... its the reason (it is so easy to make this post rhyme, humor me).
Jesus.
This season I have focused more on Jesus (as I should do every season). This Christmas, my joy will come from the joy of celebrating the birth of my Savior and no so much focus on who is and who isn't gathered around the tree. This season Jingle Bells doesn't mean much. O Holy Night and Breath of Heaven are my anthems. Have you heard the chorus to Breath of Heaven? (My Momma sings it better than anyone I know, yes, even Amy Grant.) The chorus is beautiful and will be my prayer.
Breath of Heaven, Hold me together
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy
Breath of Heaven
As sad as it is going to be, I think I will enjoy this season more than any other because I finally get it. I have always understood the reason for the season and as a Christian that is what my intent has always been but, this season I am anticipating Christmas joy like I have never felt as I fully focus on the birth of Jesus and not buying the perfect gift or even how much time I get to spend with my family (don't get me wrong, I am still very much looking forward to it and will cherish every minute of it).
We are in a wilderness but there is joy there for everyone who believes in Jesus Christ!
Side Note: I like to think that we are still celebrating Christmas with Joseph, Uncle Charles and Grandpa. Sure their physical bodies are not here but they are in Heaven with Jesus, celebrating. Loss is hard and this doesn't fix it but it does help me. Maybe it'll help you.
