*This entry deals with grief and sorrow at Christmas time and how to find peace at this time.

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 Jeremiah 31:3

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

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“To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” — Calvin Coolidge

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"Somewhere in your Silent Night" Live Performance (Eccles Theater 11/26/21) | GENTRI

This is a live performance.  It’s so good to watch and listen to.

Somewhere in your silent night

Heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried

Hope is here, just lift your head

For Love has come to find you

…

When your pain runs deep

His love runs deeper still

He has always loved you, child

And He always will.

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Sugar Plum Bread

1 cup pitted dried plums (prunes), coarsely chopped

3/4 cup water

2 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup sugar, divided

2 tablespoons shortening

1 large egg, room temperature

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons coarse sugar

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, combine dried plums, water and 2 tablespoons sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat; let stand until plumped, about 10 minutes. Drain plums, reserving fruit and liquid. Measure liquid, adding enough water to yield 1/2 cup.

Cream shortening and remaining sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with reserved cooking liquid; fold in cooled dried plums (batter will be thick).

Transfer batter to a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs, 40-45 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

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The holidays can be a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but for many, they can be a time of loss, sadness, or longing. Divorce, unemployment, poverty, abuse, intolerance and negative memories all take their toll. As a young girl I memorized the story of the Savior’s birth from Luke.  At church they gave us a paper nativity and encouraged us to share it with our families.  I was SO excited and made my plans accordingly.  I planned to tell the story on Christmas Eve after our family got home from looking at the Christmas lights.  I waited anxiously that night for my dad to come home from work.  The hours passed and no Dad.  My plan was ruined! I cried until I literally made myself sick that night.  Mom finally went out and found him at his favorite bar.  He stopped for a drink with friends and one drink led to another.  To this day my most hated Christmas song is John Denver’s “Please Daddy, don’t get drunk this Christmas.”  I choose not to remember the pain but rather to remember the fact that I never saw him drunk again.  Easy choice.

The truth is that Christmas is not always easy. The Christmas story is not just one of the joyous birth of a son and our Savior. It’s also the story of a young, pregnant girl, betrothed to a man who was not the father of her baby. It’s a story of a birth in a stable surrounded by dirt, animals, noises and smells.  There was no supportive family, no midwife to help with the delivery.  It’s the story of a mother, father and their baby who become refugees, fleeing from a murderous King. They gave up so much!  There is room in that stable for sorrow as well as joy. Jesus said: ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’  As Christians, we believe in the hope and comfort which comes from Christ.  Even with hearts and minds filled with faith, grief is a profound human experience that affects our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. I am not a grief counselor, nor am I a therapist but working with the Hospice program for almost 20 years gave me insight.  Here are some thoughts on how to care for yourself or those around you who are grieving. 

Be honest with yourself.  Let your family and friends know what you are feeling and what you need to do to be at peace.

Honor the person you loved.  Take a quiet moment to remember.  You might cook their favorite food, donate to a cause they loved or write them a message.

Plan to take breaks.  Allow yourself to take ‘get away’ moments.  Step outside. Breathe deeply.  Go for a walk. Turn off your phone for a few minutes.  

Learn to say “no”.  Emotions are magnified at this time.  If you are uncomfortable with a discussion, change it.  If you are at a party or with friends and you feel overwhelmed, leave.  If you cannot accept an invitation, Say “no” 

Seek support.  Dealing with death is a very personal journey but you don’t have to take it alone. It’s okay to ask for help.

May this be a Christmas of hope that good will happen ~~ Marilee

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I wrote this in 2004 after the death of my mother:

Every December

Every December I remember

    the love, the joy,

the gift our Father gave this world

    His perfect baby boy.

Jesus waxed strong 

    a young boy about his father’s business

He grew in wisdom and stature 

    and taught us how to live

He fed the hungry

    calmed the waters

    healed the sick

    gave sight to the blind

He willingly paid the price

    Atoned for our sins

    sacrificed His life

In so doing,  

    He saved ours.

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Christmas Thoughts

Henry Van Dyke

I am thinking of you today,

Because it is christmas,

And I wish you happiness.

And tomorrow, because it will be

The day after Christmas 

I will still wish you happiness.

I may not be able to tell you about it every day,

Because I may be far away or we may be very busy.

But that makes no difference–

My thoughts and my wishes

Will be with you just the same.

Whatever joy or success comes to you

Will make me glad

Clear through the year…

I wish you the spirit of Christmas