Moving Past Christmas Pain!

I love Christmas but also know it can be a painful time for some.  I have had my own share of pain associated with Christmas:

• When I was young my mother became ill shortly after Christmas and died.  She left behind me at 5 and my brother 3 and sister 2.  My dad was never the same.  My grandmother refused to celebrate Christmas for years.  For years this hurt me, and not just around Christmas.  It effects you growing up in ways you cannot imagine unless you have been there.
  
  
• As an adult there were many times I spent Christmas alone.
  
  
• After loosing one child my wife and I were trying hard to have our first child.  On Thanksgiving we found out she was pregnant again.  We decided to wait to tell people.  On Christmas eve I started to call Grandma to tell her, but noted it was late in the mid west and decided to wait until morning.  Christmas Morning my aunt called; Grandma had died in the night.  I never got to share that joy with her.

I do not let any of this ruin Christmas for me.  I love Christmas.  I celebrate it as big as I can.

At this time of year a lot of people will read from the Gospels Mathew and Luke about the birth of Jesus.  I love these stories, but I think of the Gospel of John.  That says in part John 1:4 In him was Life and that Life was the Light of men.  1:9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.

Now you may think those words are moving or you may not.  But consider this.  Jesus was not actually born on December 25.  The early church fathers wanted to replace pagan holidays with Christian ones.  What better way to Celebrate the Light Coming into the world than at the darkest point of the year.

Those pains of mine have been healed.  Although I miss my mom and wish I knew her, I would not change the life that has brought me the wife I love so much and my wonderful children.  Those hurts have been turned into strengths.  Sometimes when I get overwhelmed with the kids I am reminded of how lonely I am.  We try to include others in our celebration that may be lonely.  I know Grandma is in the hands of the Lord, she knows my joy.  I am reminded never to put off sharing joy with others.

Merry Christmas and even if you feel you are alone you are not.  If times seem dark there is a light.