Last week I had been rolling some thoughts around trying to get them organized into a post. Simply put I was struggling with the thought of sad things that happen at Christmas time. Several things happened during the week that caused me to be thinking of how we are wrapped up in the joy of the season but not everyone can experience joy because of events in their life. A co-worker's military son was missing; a friend of Stephanie's from high school gave birth to a baby with complications that have left a lot of uncertainty about the baby's future; a Christmas card from one of my mother's cousins told of her daughter losing her job after 33 years. How do you celebrate Christmas when there is sadness in your life?
And then on Friday came the horrible news of the shooting in Connecticut. Stunned and horrified I had no clear thoughts, and certainly no words to write. How do you explain the joy of Christmas when there is something this awful in our world. How can you celebrate Christmas?
And, then today a friend sent me a prayer written by Max Lucado. In his simple, easy to read style he brought it all into focus. A Christmas Prayer
Jesus was born in a dark time; the Roman Empire was brutal and poverty was the norm. But he came to bring light to a world cloaked in darkness and evil. There is hope, there is peace, and there is joy.
You just have to look beyond the darkness and see the light.
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;on those living
in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned
Isaiah 9:2
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