Jingle bells.
Nativity scenes.
Christmas carols.
People talking about this being a joyful time of the year.
But is it?
For many this is a sad part of the year.
Loved ones have died.
Jobs have been lost.
Health has deteriorated.
Moving to an unfamiliar place was necessary.
It may be hard to have a joyful Christmas spirit.
Still, as we reflect on that first Christmas, it, too, we know was a hard time.
Mary and Joseph had just traveled to Bethlehem at orders from Caesar Augustus.
No car to shelter them on the trip.
No welcoming place to stay when they arrived.
Only finding a place in a cave or stable with animals.
No warm bassinette for Baby Jesus.
How concerned they must have been.
Yet, they managed.
For those experiencing a blue Christmas, you probably won’t have angels singing or wise ones coming but know you are alone.
Many churches are offering a Blue Christmas service.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph understand your sadness and stand with you.
I invite you to explore how they might be giving you hope and strength in this special season.
You are not alone!
It encapsulated itself in a cocoon, struggled out of it, and stretched its wings to build up strength to fly away.
Robert M. Hamma in Landscapes of the Soul: A Spirituality of Place writes about learning from children to simply be in place and be in relationship with all in that space, as children do.