Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Eve

This was entitled...And A Light Shone and it was posted Christmas Eve 2012

Over the years, as I have anticipated the season with full abandonment, I have wondered how many people have to endure it rather than enjoy it. But it occurs to me that there may be a hidden blessing in it, somewhere. As there often is.
**Try to imagine what it would be like to give birth in a place that is foreign, cold and dark, alone with a husband who knew nothing about delivering a child, going through the agonizing pain and terror of my first birth. Not everything about that season was perfect.**

**

I think about the chapters of The Story, the slaughter of the innocent children demanded by a brutal king, that we skip over every year. So much pain. So much mourning that led up to the moment we now celebrate so fully.
**
This time of year is not easy for many. It is a time that rips at wounds that are trying to heal; opens memories that are placed on a shelf for the better part of a year; makes one long again for things that cannot  be had back. And yet, it challenges me to look hard to find something to celebrate. 
**

Which maybe isn’t a bad thing. It is a difficult thing. At moments, an overwhelming and crushing thing. But I know it is there,
 the reason for joy
I know it is there, 
the reason for thankfulness. 
I know it is there, 
the reason for hope.
**

Remember those who mourned or who are scared or who are sad or in pain on this night. Remember that in the darkness, there was born a light.

20 comments:

  1. Beautiful post.

    Sending love, light, and kitteh kisses this holiday.
    XOXO

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  2. What a lovely post!

    The Human is going away for a couple days so we came to say Merry Christmas to ALL of you, especially your newest family member, Annabelle! It is wonderful that she has found a furever home! XOXOXO

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  3. And a warm and inspiring Christmas Eve to you too-

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  4. Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season and a very Merry Christmas! Purrs to Mom Debra.

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  5. Lovely post :) A good reminder to think about others.
    Merry Christmas.
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure,Tiger and JJ
    and Angel Tillie

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  6. Although my human has always had a rocky relationship with her natal family - plus she only celebrates Christmas secularly - she has always chosen to see Christmas as a time of joy and magic. She may not decorate every year, and she may celebrate it in all sorts of non-traditional ways, but there is a deeper meaning behind Christmas that goes beyond any one religion or any family troubles, and even beyond loneliness. And it is there for anyone who chooses to reach out and touch it. This will be a pleasant enough Christmas for us, but my human has had some pretty awful holiday seasons in times past... yet she has never lost touch with the Christmas spirit.

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  7. What a beautiful post! We're wishing you and your family peace and love this holiday.

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  8. merci pour ce beau post,
    joyeux Noël
    ronrons d'Opale et Sonye

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  9. That is a wonderful post and we wish you all a Happy Christmas and hope the light is there for you.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  10. This is so beautiful. I'm so glad you said there is a reason for joy, thankfulness and hope. Christmas definitely can be a difficult time for many, especially those without hope, which is so sad.

    I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and Annabelle helps to make it happy with her first Christmas with you.

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  11. Thank you for sharing this lovely post.
    Sending you lots of love this Holiday season.

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  12. So very beautiful. Thank you for such a deep and reflective post.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family, Debra. Sending you all much love, and wishes for a holiday season filled with peace and joy.

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  13. Such a beautiful post. I wish you a peaceful Christmas.

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  14. So glad that you ran this post. It is beautiful and thoughtful for this very special time of year.

    Have a wonderful holiday!

    Sending love,
    Mom Julie, Tinker, Anastasia, Chopin and Angel Tom

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  15. Stunning sentiment. So very powerful.
    That was the post of the day for us - and we thank you.... :-)

    ::::hugs::::

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  16. You have the courage to express something raw - what's hiding just under the surface but so true. There's so much to remember on an evening like this.
    Love and hugs to you and your entire beautiful furry family and a very special thought for angel Abby

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