Christmas Mourning

I had lunch with two colleagues and our chaplain today. Eventually the conversation turned to Christmas. The chaplain asked us what Christmas meant to us. Since we all work at a seminary and have some level of theological education, one might be forgiven if you immediately assumed each response lent itself to some grand meditation or commentary on the birth of Jesus. But that wasn’t the case. Instead, what was mentioned were the divorces of parents, broken and fragmented Christmas memories as a child, and deaths – the loss of family members and loved one who passed away around Christmas.

For some, it is not the most wonderful time of the year. Each holiday season is another reminder of the vacancy that may be present in a person’s life. It may have occurred this past year. It may have occurred twenty years ago. However, it doesn’t mean that it hurts any less come Christmastime.

I invite everyone to take time this Christmas season to pause and think of those you know who may be struggling. My suggestion is, “don’t wait for them to cry out for help”. Reach out to them and let them know you remember them. Pray for them and their family. Love them, be there for them, and remind them that although they may be lonely, they are not alone. It may not change much on the surface, but it could also mean the world.