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This is definitely the most emotional time of the year for a great number of us – the gathering of family around the Thanksgiving table, Advent observations, celebration of at least two birthdays at our house, and then the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services. We are soaked in the warmth of family, the anticipation of Advent, the sense of birthday greetings, and the joys of Christmas.
Yes, there can be momentary reminders of emotions like sadness or regret – seeing who may be missing around the table this year compared to the past, a sense of aging and loss of youth, the frantic pace that can overtake one in keeping up with invitations and shopping excursions, the built up expectations for Christmas with family and friends that can disappoint because how often do we anticipate almost more than reality can provide?
But then, then there is the quiet peace of family and friends’ love no matter how many or how few, the satisfaction of the sheer blessing of more life from God’s hand, the comfort of the Advent hymns of expectation and fulfillment, and the absolute joy of the boisterous Christmas Carols!
December may be a roller coaster of emotions for us all, but as so often happens on a roller coaster you feel like you barely survive the ride and then what do you do? You want to get back in line for another go around. The Lord who comes at Christmas invites into the ride of life – the lows and highs. (I like that order better, don’t you?) Jesus, who went from the low of Good Friday to Easter, from the abandonment by friends to their embrace of his love and vision, from the flight to Egypt to the Ascension for earthly mission and heavenly reign, this Jesus accompanies us as we make our own pilgrimage through life. And all our emotions – raw and reserved, planned and surprising – can be blessed as we embrace the Good News of God’s love for the world and for each one of us.
