Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas – however it comes and in whatever way you may celebrate – may this be a season of joy.
As I write this, we are finishing up our shopping, making arrangements, and planning for the Christmas festivities to come. And as much as my brain knows that Christmas is much longer than Christmas Eve services and Christmas morning gift-unwrapping, my heart really does get amped up for those two moments.
Many of us won’t have that particular experience of Christmas. Maybe because we travel or because we live alone. Perhaps we’ve lost a loved one or are holding fort at home because of Omicron.
The Christmas story gives us a vision, not of family tradition, but of potential and hope. It is a story of deep and profound love: in Joseph and Mary, shepherds, and God. Love for creation and love for its future.
We can all draw hope and love from the story in the days ahead.