THE COUNTDOWN!!!

                                                                       

Depending on your time zone, Christmas is a mere 4 days away.  If you are not at your destination by now, the weather (in some parts of the country) just might impede your travel plans.  For many it is the culmination of extra "tidying up" of the home, making ready for family members to come visit,  decorating the tree, shopping, wrapping gifts, baking, etc all in prepartion for the big day.  Celebrating the gift of Jesus should be at the center of it all.                    

Although there is much excitement, especially for the children, there are some who will experience sadness instead of joy this time of the year.  Holiday celebrations bring dread and sadness to some because they are having to face "the day" without a loved one whose earthly journey has come to an end, or their family members live too far away.                            

       Photo by Justin Snyder on Unsplash

What can we do to help?  We can be Jesus with skin on showing empathy for what they are experiencing.  Do pray for them, and after you have done that, invite them to spend some of the day with you.  If they are not emotionally ready to be around someone's else's family (because it reminds them of their loss), please don't take it personally.  Share your Christmas meal (taking it to them), or call them to let them know that they have not been forgotten.  They will be encouraged and I believe that Jesus would be pleased.

                                                                       

~CWP~