Joy and Endurance
It’s just about the darkest day of the year; Christmas in less than a week. My parents are gone on their winter adventure to India, and we have already had our two family holiday gatherings, Thanksgiving and an early Christmas/ gift exchange. Dawn is breaking at 7:30am and the days are short, the light ever so precious. When there is less of something, sometimes we appreciate it more. Time with our spouse, good food, daylight and warmth can become rare but highly valued. The weather is strangely warm outside, life is challenging regarding illness and events in our lives. I am happy, content, plugging through the dark days, and humbly settled in what life is offering me.
What is Christmas about for me this season? I suppose it is a reminder that we have friends and communities that care for each other. Two of my dear friends are putting together care packages for their family members and far away friends, one filled with her food creations, one filled with personally crafted art. Both sharing deeply from themselves and remembering those they love. The fire station and many houses are decorated beautifully in the dark evenings with colorful lights, spreading warmth and joy to passersby, and as we plug through the dark days, the lights accent the unavoidable Christmas music on our radios.
I hope to bring cheer and caring to those around me this Christmas. To remind them they are important to me and to share and offer to them what I can. I have been listening to Christmas music every day, something I don’t remember doing in the past so much. I have yet to experience an abundance of Christmas cookies and caroling, but I am able to create a little environment of cheer in my day. December rolls by, and I will revel in the reminder that God loves me, that people care, and that there is reason to celebrate. January is coming, yet the light is returning. I am cherishing these winter moments for what they are. Without them I may not appreciate the spring and summer months quite so much. There is order and purpose in the cycles we endure as well as celebrate.