The Holidays are coming, and with them good food, good music, good
gatherings, the whole nine yards. But it also comes with heartbreak
and sorrow. Empty seats at the table, in the sanctuary. Friends and
family gone, sometimes from loss, other times from division.
What makes it even more difficult is how we always WANT to
provide the same happiness we remember from our childhoods to
our own children, or even just those around us. I think part of the
secret is remembering that the Holidays have ALWAYS been difficult,
the adults from our time of children struggling similarly to the way
we do.
At Church, people often want to try to hide the struggle, to make it
seem effortless and easy. But I like to remind people that we are
never called on to lie to hide our struggle. When it’s hard, say so.
When it is difficult, own it and move forward. That way, when there
is joy (and there WILL be Joy) we know it is real, and can embrace it
fully.
Come, and let us walk these holidays, both the struggle, and the joy,
together.
Pastor Dan
