When I think about Christmases gone by, I remember Christmas Eve dinners. Momma always in her apron would have cooked all the traditional Ukrainian foods. My Poppa always had a big smile on his face at seeing his whole family together...four daughters, one son (all with spouses) and 14 grandchildren. Children would be running everywhere, laughter and joy just bursting out of their small home. I'm sure you have similar memories that bring a sense of joy and warmth to your heart. I remember the last Christmas that my family was all together at my parents' dining room table...Christmas of 1975. Everything would change in November 1976 with the death of my brother Adolf.
As joyous as Christmas can be, it can also be a very difficult time of year for those who are in grief over the death of a loved one. And out of all the holidays, it seems that the first Christmas without a spouse, parent, sibling, or child is the most difficult. Most of us want to just pull the covers over our heads and hide from Christmas...it seems just too painful. A dear friend of mine, Debbie, recently lost her husband, Bob, after a painful bout with pancreatic cancer. Although I haven't experienced the loss of husband, I have experienced the loss of my brother and my parents and I know how difficult that first Christmas can be.
Debbie shared this story with me, and with her permission, I share it with you. Debbie's pain and sadness is so fresh and still raw. Every year Debbie has prepared for Christmas and decorated almost every room. But this year is different; her husband of 30 plus years won't be by her side. Debbie told her sister that she just wanted to bypass Christmas. She didn't want to decorate and do all the things she had done in the past because the pain and sadness are too great. "You can run from Christmas but Christmas will find you, Deb" was her sister's reply.
As Debbie was out shopping, there on a shelf at eye level...Christmas found her by way of a precious nativity set. There before her eyes was the baby Jesus in a manger...a reminder that it's all about Jesus. It didn't take away the sadness, pain or grief she felt, but there in baby Jesus is hope and the reason for the season.
Luke 2:8-15 "That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. 'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.' Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.' When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, 'Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'"1
Debbie bought that nativity set and has placed it in a prominent place at eye level for all to see as they enter her home and a place she walks by continually. You can try to run from Christmas....but Jesus will find you.
MaryAnn
1 www.biblegateway.com accessed 12-11-07 The New Living Translation
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