I wanted to send a Merry Christmas wish, but I also know that this year has been very different, and may be a hard time of the year for many.
A Season of Firsts
For us, as with so many, we are still on lockdown. My son who is in the military was not able to return home for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. It will be our first Christmas apart. It was my husband and I’s first time decorating the tree with no children at home, and that I did with tears in my eyes. All the little ornaments and decorations they made tugged at my heartstrings and made me miss my kids all the more.
A Reminder of Loss
This will also be our first Christmas without our nephew, who passed away in February. Gatherings are still not allowed here, so we are hoping to Zoom with my brother and his family, when we’d much rather be there to give hugs and comfort.
What Does Your Season Look Like?
This may be a year of firsts for you too. Some of you will have happy firsts, a new baby or grandbaby, a new marriage, a new job or home. To this I say congratulations! And I hope that you enjoy every moment of these firsts.
Yet some of you I know have experienced loss, because you’ve told me, and asked me to pray. Please know, I am praying for you this season.
Merry Christmas
I wanted to say Merry Christmas, but I also wanted to acknowledge that sometimes this time of year can be hard, and it’s Ok to be sad, and it’s OK to cry.
Whatever Christmas looks like for you, I pray that God’s presence would rest upon you and your household, and you would experience the love of Christ and His peace that passes understanding. I pray that despite the hardships and stress of this year, that you would find joy this Christmas season in some way.
And I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.
Love,
Carolyn
P.S. I’ve been taking some time to process and pray about things for next year, sorry you haven’t heard much from me lately. I will be back in the New Year with more to share. Keep your eyes peeled so you don’t miss what’s coming next!
