Christmas Eve, 2023

And just like that another Christmas Eve has come.  The music.  The ancient story.  The candles burning.  The memories of days past.  'Tis a day of rejoicing and at times a season of sadness as loved ones from our past are known only in our memories.  When Jesus was born long centuries ago, He came via a family.  A mother, a father, grandparents, and later brothers and sisters.  His life, too, was filled with religious traditions of great importance.  And surely, on those most revered days of that Jewish culture, He looked around rejoicing and remembering even as we do.   

There was a moment only yesterday as my family came together for our annual Christmas meal and celebration when the joy was broken into by a moment of deep sadness. It was so deep tears flowed and the laughter ceased.  However, instead of feeling strange, it felt normal.  In a moment the one not present was honored and remembered only to be swallowed up by the joy and laughter across the room.   It was a reminder that sadness and joy do not have to be compartmentalized.  They are both a part of our life and the story of our family.  

The tears point to our loss and the joy speaks to the way memories still bring joy into our lives.  Sometimes it is hard to know where the weeping stops and the laughter begins.  Or, vice versa.  The point is we need not be afraid of either as we gather with our families for moments of celebration for joy and laughter, grief and dancing, are but what God had in mind when He created us to live as families who dare to love one another.