A not so Joyful Christmas
At a time of the year when everything around us speaks to the holiday season, it is hard to admit that sometimes it can be a challenging time as well. During our Renew Sunday School class this past Sunday, we discussed how difficult the Christmas season can be for some.
Who among us has not lost a loved one during this time of year. All of us have had to endure that first Christmas without someone we cherish. At the same time, we can be comforted by the fact that the celebration of the birth of Jesus gives us hope, comfort and even joy.
The class was asked to give examples of a difficult Christmas. Some responses were predicable. My own grandfather died on December 19th, just short of his 90th birthday. It was a difficult time as he was a larger-than-life figure in our extended family. At the same time, we shared memories of his long life and the ways he touched us all.
I remember sitting with him in the funeral home after my grandmother, his wife of 66 years, had passed away. He asked me if I really believed that she was in heaven. I will forever treasure the memory when I could look him in the eye and tell him simply, “Yes”. A sad, but cherished memory.
The discussion in the class went back and forth, recalling the best and worst of the season. One member spoke of her father having bells in his jacket. When she heard the bells ringing as he walked, she exclaimed “I hear Santa”. She could hear the bells on his sleigh.
Another spoke of her daughter, when asked on Christmas Eve what she wanted, she simply replied that she wanted a bell from Santa’s sleigh. At that late hour, her grandmother, an accomplished seamstress, found a small bell and sewed it on to a ribbon.
Perhaps a favorite was a story of a family having to leave home with their small children after Christmas morning, leaving behind a new trampoline that had almost no use before the departure. The family would travel almost a week with their family dog named Tiger Rags perched on the back seat window.
The dachshund had gotten a foot-long hot dog for Christmas, which apparently was eaten just before the trip began. Along the way, the dachshund, commonly known as a hot dog, threw up the hot dog in the car on a new pair of Air Jordans that one of the children had received for Christmas. Some might call it a sad Christmas, though chaotic might be the word that comes to mind.
At the same time, several class members were born within days of Christmas, certainly bringing a special joy to their families on their timely arrival.
Last week, I wrote an article that quoted Tolstoy. “Music is the shorthand of emotion”. It was about the wealth of musical programs at the Gogue Performing Arts Center during the month of December. Today, I fought back tears on several occasions as the AUMC Choir offered their own Christmas program.
Over the years, I played the organ at dozens of Christmas Cantata performances. Never before have I been so touched or moved more by a program. Perhaps it was that I was in the audience and not on the organ bench. This was not a performance. It was an incredibly moving worship service in song and music. Hallelujah.
The Advent wreath for the third Sunday symbolizes joy. What a joyful service it was. Despite the tough times that often come during Christmas, I was reminded by this choir that along with joy, there is also hope, peace, and love. On Christmas Eve, we will light the Christ candle.
As we remember those difficult Christmas seasons in our past, and for some this season in our midst, cast your own light forward to the coming lighting of the Christ candle and all that it symbolizes.
At the same time, remember the words in song that tug at our hearts and touch our emotions. Hark, the Herald Angels Sing. Christ is born the newborn King.
o0o
Dan Ponder can be reached at [email protected]