A Christ-Centered Christmas Doesn't Have to Be HardSmakprov

Home for the Holidays It’s 5:30 in the morning and still dark outside. The Christmas lights in the living room provide a warm glow and calm my spirit. Everyone in the house is asleep. I treasure these moments alone with God, moments of solitude, reflection, and reading my Bible. I have much to be thankful for and spend a good amount of time journaling my prayers of gratitude. It helps me stay focused when I write-out my prayers long-hand. My mind wanders otherwise. One of the many things I’m thankful for this particular morning is my parents. They’ve been staying with us all week. Like many others in their life-stage, my parents have migrated south to a warmer climate. The Midwest gets quite cold in the winter, causing aging bones to ache. Warmer weather equals less pain. It’s been wonderful to have my mom and dad home for the holidays. I treasure this time together, reminiscing over a hot cup of coffee in the morning and engaging in the usual holiday traditions. Yesterday, we spent some time visiting some family and friends my parents hadn’t seen in a while. We even took a trip down memory lane, driving through the old neighborhood where I grew up. I’ve become quite nostalgic over the past several days, soaking up every moment I have with my parents, savoring our time together because I know it’s fleeting. Last year, at this same exact time, we were saying goodbye to my mother-in-law who was in her final days, battling cancer. I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since she went home to be with Jesus. Our hearts still ache over the loss, even though we know we will see her again. The holidays have a way of bringing buried heartache to the surface all over again. Perhaps you can relate. As I contemplated the loss of my mother-in-law and the angst that I feel about losing my own parents one day, the Lord spoke to my heart and helped me out of my melancholy blues. Here is what He spoke to my heart: Rae Lynn, you get to enjoy having your parents home for the holidays now. But one day, I will get to enjoy having your parents here with me for all of eternity. And, one day, you will be here too. Then you all will be home for the holidays, in your eternal home, in heaven with me. It’s really helped me through the grieving process this holiday season. Our loved ones who have gone on to heaven have never been more ‘home’ for the holidays than they are right now. They are home, and one day, you and I will be home too. Until then, may we treasure each moment here, while we look forward to eternity there. Personal Reflection * Do you have loved ones that you are grieving and missing this Christmas? * What do you miss most about them? * What are some practical ways you can keep their memory alive this Christmas? Prayer Lord, my heart hurts over those I’ve lost in years past. Sometimes it’s hard to feel joy because I feel so much pain over the loss. Please help me through this holiday season. Help me as I grieve, and help me find ways to honor the ones I love until I see them again. Amen.