Week of December 11th, 2022
This week’s church sermon was on finding joy amidst the craziness that this holiday season can bring. It was a call to be intentional and to expect the unexpected, both good and disappointing. Finding that happy place between the present reality and expectations is not easily achieved, and that is why grace is more important than ever.
For some of you, the holidays are filled with mixed emotions. More than a few of you will have one less at the table as this will be the first Christmas without your spouse, a parent, or a dear friend to connect with. I am sorry for your loss. May your sorrow lead to peace as the beautiful memories fill the season.
For others you have launched a college bound child and they are not coming home, or maybe they are bringing a special friend. And more than a few of you have added to your clan via marriage or subtracted due to divorce, and are now navigating how to accommodate your new normal.
For us, we are blessed to have our newest grandson and his mom and dad back in WA for the first time in a few years for Christmas. Christmas excitement of a child, or in our case a grandchild, is contagious. We are also blessed this year to have our oldest son and wife coming from NC. Which means, barring any sickness, we will have all of our children, their spouses and our grandchildren under one roof for this Christmas season. All 25 of us. It is no small logistical feat to line up all the schedules to get 25 of us together, and if it works out I might consider it our Christmas miracle.
Christmas is a season filled with sadness, loneliness, anxiety, but it also has its moments of love, peace and joy. It is perfectly acceptable to feel all of the emotions. I would like to encourage you to find common and unique ways to spread joy to others in your world, and in those moments when you brighten that friend, colleague or family member’s day, pause and experience the joy that comes back.
Whatever season you find yourself in this Christmas season, we wish you many blessings!.
Happy Holidays,
- Tristan and Joelle