For those of you who have lost someone or are dealing a sense of grief, or sorrow, today’s blog involves coping with loss, sorrow and death during the holidays.  I wanted to let you know in case some of you are not comfortable reading about this subject.  My comments are italicized.

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A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;

It makes no noise at all,

But softly gives itself away.

~Eva Logue

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Luke 2:10
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Nat King Cole - A Cradle in Bethlehem
audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5EBVHnLUlE

Sing sweet and low your lullaby till angels say amen
 A mother tonight is rocking a cradle in Bethlehem

While wise men follow through the dark a star that beckons them, 
a mother tonight is rocking a cradle in Bethlehem

A little child shall lead them, the prophet said of old
In storm and tempest lead them until the bell is tolled

Sing sweet and low your lullaby till angels say amen
 A mother tonight is rocking a cradle in Bethlehem

Sing sweet and low your lullaby till angels say amen
 A mother tonight is rocking a cradle in Bethlehem

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RAOK: Call your grandparents, or another family member if your grandparents are no longer with you. 


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Snowman Luminary
https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/tips/g2132/mason-jar-christmas-crafts/?slide=14


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 Apple FRITTERS from Darlene

Peel and core 2 apples,slice into 1/4 inch thick rings.  Toss with 1 c. buttermilk and 2 T sugar.  Whisk 1 1/2 c. flour with a pinch each of cinnamon and salt.  Dredge the apples in flour, then return to to the buttermilk, then dredge in flour again.  Deep fry in 350 degree oil until crisp drain on paper towels, sprinkle with sugar

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Happy Thanksgiving!  Merry Christmas!  Happy New Year!  Holidays are supposed to be happy, right?  Peaceful? Calm? Loving?  I think that for many of us, they are.  But there are many who are dealing with sorrow and grief.  For them, Christmas is something to be survived rather than enjoyed.  While those of us who love and care for them can’t take the pain away, we can give comfort.  We have been commanded to:   
Isaiah 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
I’m not a psychologist, or a sociologist or anyone trained in those kind of fields, but I have worked with Hospice for almost 20 years.  I have also lost many who are close to me.  My mother's funeral was 2 days before Thanksgiving.  My sister died on New Year’s Day.  I’ve lost 2 other sisters, my father, and all of my aunts and uncles.  I can tell you from experience, that they I miss them.  I'm lucky because they live on in my memories and are still in my heart.  I often think about them during the holidays and and wish they were here to share the good times. Social  situations can be very hard for those who are grieving.  If you know someone who is going to be at a gathering, offer to take them, to stand with them, to be near so that they are not alone.  Take them home when they want to go.  Please don’t tell them not to grieve, that right is theirs. And if they cry, tears are not the enemy.  They are not a reflection of a lack of faith.  Tears are a reflection of the worth of the person who is gone.  It’s important to listen.  Let them tell their stories, listen to them.  Did I mention to listen to them, you don't have to talk -- just listen!  If you have pictures, take them, share them.  Every time I hear the words to A Cradle in Bethlehem, I think of my mom.  It's a good memory.  She loved that song.  It’s hard sometimes to remember why we should be happy at Christmas.  The answer is because a baby was born in Bethlehem, over 2,000 years ago, a baby whose birth brought hope to the world.  That hope still lives.  Whether your sorrow comes from job problems, unemployment, marital problems, divorce, struggles with rebellious children, or just wishing that things were different, you’re not alone.  The answer is always the same.  Hope comes through Our Savior, Jesus christ.   John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ~~ Marilee

I wrote this story and used it in an email in 2001.

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"Love you, Mom"
"Hi, Mom. I’m sorry I’m late, but I just couldn’t get away any earlier. You know how it is. The kids are so busy–it seems like I spend more time in the car running them places than I do anywhere else. Yesterday I had to take Greg to piano lessons–he’s getting ready for a recital, Pam to gymnastics and Pete to cub scouts. We got stuck in a traffic jam on the freeway, and were almost two hours late getting home. I just “knew” that Brent would be mad, but he wasn’t. I walked in the house and there was Christmas music playing and Brent had the table set and dinner was ready–hot dogs and canned chili! Boy, do I love that man.... Yes, I know mom, he was your Christmas present for me. You’ll never let me forget that you saw him first, will you? I still don’t understand how you did it. One look at him standing there in the hallway by my dorm room with that box of Christmas decorations you sent and I was lost. He stayed and helped me put them up, and then we popped popcorn and made hot chocolate and talked about skiing and blue skies and college and life and dating and marriage. You name it, we talked about it. We always could talk together, Mom. I’m glad. I’ve needed someone to talk to lately. It’s okay, mom, but it hasn’t been easy... I don’t want to talk about that, though...not now. Remember how you always said that you hoped I’d have a daughter just like me? Boy, do I! Pam proved it again, Mom. She was snooping and opened the basement closet I hid all of the things from Santa in. That closet hasn’t been used in years! I was so sure it was safe. Oh well, none of the presents were wrapped, so I’m going to have to take the presents "we" got for the kids and trade them for the ones from "Santa." I’m just lucky she didn’t find ALL of them. Remember the year I found the presents that Aunt Shirley hid at our house? I thought they were from you and Dad so I opened them. I played with them every day and even broke a couple. Aunt Shirley was so mad! She said I’d come to no good that was for sure. But you believed in me, mom, didn’t you? Christmas makes me smile all over, mama. I still remember the year we slept under the Christmas tree. What was I? ... 5? ... maybe 6? When I woke up the next morning, I knew that Santa and the elves had been there because I was covered in angel dust –silver glitter. That was magic, Mom, and I loved it. Santa Claus and angels! We were the only ones who knew the secret–that Santa’s elves were really angels. Every year after that, when I woke up on Christmas morning, I’d find sprinkles of glitter all over me. I always felt so good because every year I knew the angels loved me. That was the best present ever, Mom... uh-oh, I can’t believe it’s so late. I’ve got to leave now to get Daddy. He’s doing pretty good. We’ll be back in an hour or so. We’re going to set up a tree for you, mama--right here. See, I’ve made the perfect spot for it, and next spring we'll plant some roses. Tonight I'm going to tell the kids about sleeping under the tree. In the morning, after we’ve opened our presents, we’ll bring the kids here--it's such a peaceful place. They’ll see angel dust on the ground and a little bag of glitter under the tree. When they find it, they’ll remember waking up with glitter all over their hair and face and pillows and realize that they have their very own Christmas Angel, mom... The best one of all! Love you mom. "Merry Christmas."