Christmas is my favorite time of year and it is no secret to those who know me that it makes me giddy and borderline obnoxious! I love everything about Christmas...the lights, the trees, the songs, baking, wrapping presents, giving presents, receiving presents, the movies, hot apple cider, gingerbread cookies, cinnamon candles, the Salvation Army bell, cold weather, receiving Christmas cards, sending Christmas cards and most of all...I love celebrating the birth of my Savior! I know, I am "that" person at Christmas...I really should have my own Hallmark movie!
As much as I adore all things Christmas and how joyful this time of year makes me, I have been rather convicted the last few days about those out there that may be dreading Christmas this year. It may be their first Christmas without their mom, or dad...or even their child. It may be that they fear this will be their loved one's last Christmas. It may be their inability to enjoy Christmas to its fullest because they are battling cancer, or watching a loved one go through treatment. It may be that they have lost their job and cannot afford to give their family what they believe to be a "proper" Christmas. It may be a family that is struggling to get pregnant and seeing all of the Christmas cards with babies and children brings them down. There are so many people hurting and I tend to forget that when I get caught up in my own Christmas wonderland. I have felt very convicted to remember all of those in my life that may be dealing with some very difficult emotions this Christmas and to reach out to those people that I love. I am creating a bit of a challenge for myself to send a card to these people...but not a Christmas card. A card of thoughtfulness, of encouragement...and of compassion for whatever it is they may be going through. A card that lets them know that they are not forgotten and that someone is praying for them. I worked as a hospice social worker for 9 years and I saw firsthand how trying the Christmas season can be for those who are facing the death of a loved one, or for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. I know how encouraged my patients' families were when they received a phone call, or a card, or a short visit from someone...and I am challenging myself to be that friend to those who may need it this year. A card may sound small, but it carries big meaning to someone who may be hurting beyond what they can handle.
Christmas has always meant so much to me, but this year I want to consider what it may be meaning for others. While Christmas can spark a variety of emotions, one thing is certain about Christmas...it offers hope. Jesus' birth is a precious day for believers because it celebrates the day of our Savior and what that means for us. We have a God that loves us so much that He sent his ONLY son to become flesh so that He could bear our sins on a cross...so that those who come to know Him could have eternal life with Him. We are loved beyond what we deserve and a God that loves us enough to do that, will be there with us through the worst of times. I am so very thankful that love came down at Christmas...and that love is ours to give! My conviction may not be a conviction of yours, but if it is...join me in sending a card at Christmas:)
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