I have heard that the happiest place on earth is Disneyland! It would appear that December is purportedly the happiest month of the year with all the presents and celebrations, families getting together. We watch those lovely movies from Hallmark where everything turns out well- even better than anticipated. But this is also the time of year with much tension in families, anxiety over gifts, the urge to have the perfect dinner, for some it is their first Christmas without a loved one. It is not all sparkles and unicorns!
We can be aware of those who find this time of year difficult. We can offer a helping hand without any advice or recriminations. We can hold them gently, give them time to heal, offer to stand by them, without advice, and just be a non-anxious presence with them. This non-anxious presence can be hard to do but it is so necessary to let those who are struggling with this Christmas time know that you are there for them.
This is also the time of the year when the days are so short and darkness seems to be so long. We gravitate towards the light of Christ coming to us as a baby. The light that is coming pulls us into hope, peace, joy and love and away from the darkness. Hope, peace, joy and love are the fruits of this season. Pass these fruits along to those you meet. You will never know what they mean to one who is struggling with the season. You are the face of hope for others, the presence of peace, the joy of light and the abundance of love for your fellow man.
Rev JoAnn Hinter
St Timothy’s Anglican Church
