This morning I am sitting alone in front of a brightly lit Christmas tree reflecting on the past 5 years. On Christmas Day five years ago, Mike was only a few months into his chemo treatments and I was struggling with what the future might hold. The day after Christmas four years ago, Ian’s battle with addiction and mental illness began. That struggle would cloud the following holiday season. Last year, we celebrated Christmas as a physically healthy but emotionally drained family. This year, we seem more like “us”. Laughter filled the house last night as we began our Christmas traditions and, for the first time in a long time, there was nothing “weighing us down.”
In a few hours, my family – my entire family – will celebrate Christmas. We will open presents, watch movies, and enjoy a huge meal together. Like so many people around the world, we will enjoy the warmth and love of this day. Our celebration, however, will be filled with the recognition that it was made possible by the very birth that we are celebrating. Jesus. He is the reason we are here and we are whole. He is the reason for the hope that sustained us over these past 5 years and that will continue to carry us through the years to come.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born,
Unto us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.