The holiday season is upon us and everywhere I turn, I hear Christmas songs being sung on the radio (or by myself as I move throughout the day), see images of Santa Claus and snowmen, and feel the excitement and anticipation of my almost four year old-daughter as she awaits Christmas day. It is a joy-filled season…for some.The truth is, this season can also be very difficult—even lonely—for people. I am well aware this year of the many people I have come to care about who have passed away. For their families and friends, this is the first holiday season without their loved one. Everything in society tells them they should be happy, but in reality, even though joy still exists, there is still the sadness of missing someone dear.
I am also well aware of the people I have been sitting with this month who know their own death is not far off. Just yesterday, I visited a Christian woman who is awaiting both birth—the birth of Jesus Christ that Christians anticipate during this season—and death—her own death. As the world around her is caught up in holiday cheer, she and her family are in a time of bittersweet deep reflection. They are soaking in every moment together—praying, laughing, sharing memories, and practicing their old holiday traditions—knowing this will likely be their last Christmas together. For this family, and so many others, they well understand the sentiment of Henri Nouwen when he said
“Joy and sadness are born at the same time, both arising from such deep places in your heart that you can’t find words to capture your complex emotions” (Out of Solitude)
Perhaps that is why I am so drawn to what Christians call the time of Advent—it is a time that we anticipate the birth of Jesus Christ and a time in which we recall the coming of the light into the world. Every Sunday, I watch as a family lights a candle representing something new each week—hope, peace, joy, love, and finally, the Christ candle. Each week, the light cuts through the darkness to remind us that love is still alive in the world—even in the midst of sorrow and grief. “A light shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not overcome it”…I leave you now with a prayer from a moving service that has been done in the past at First Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque called “Lamentation and Light”. May God’s peace be with you in the midst of both your joy and your sadness…
Leader: Let us pray: Come Lord Jesus, when we are weak, afraid,
lonely or sad, for we cannot sing of Christmas joy.
People: Come, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Gather us under your wings as a mother hen shelters her chicks.
People: Come, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Weep with us as you wept with Mary and Martha.
People: Come, Lord Jesus.
Leader: You know the cold and hunger of a stable; now share our loneliness.
People: Come, Lord Jesus.
Leader: You know the power of our enemy death; now comfort and sustain us.
People: Come, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Make your home with us and share our every load.
People: Come, Lord Jesus.
Leader: You are the Sun of Righteousness, risen with healing in your wings.
People: Come, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Give us life and light through the long night and bring us to your joy in the morning. In your name we pray.
People: Come, Lord Jesus.
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