Say It Anyway

There's not going to be a lot pretty pictures in this post...

...in fact, I thought I was finished with my pre-Christmas blogging.

I've got something bearing down on my heart that really needs to come out.

~

A couple of Christmases ago, I started a post entitled,

"When Your Christmas Isn't Very Merry".

I never wrote the first word after I came up with the title.

I was not brave enough to share what Christmas in the Ray house was like that year.

There's no need to even address that issue because God is working on it.

All of that mess is now becoming someone's message.

~ 

I was thinking about that unwritten post this morning and decided to change the title.

Just within the past few weeks and even as recently as yesterday,

it became so apparent to me that several family members and close friends

are facing a very difficult Christmas this year.

~

How do you say Merry Christmas to your oldest brother and and his family...

when Stage 4 cancer has been discovered after being cancer-free for six years?
Say it anyway.

~

How do you say Merry Christmas to your sister and her family...

when the possible diagnosis of kidney and pancreatic cancer in her husband is pending?
Say it anyway.

~

How do you say Merry Christmas to a precious friend, neighbor and sister in Christ...

 who has been and still is at the bedside of her 80 year old mother this week and on Christmas Eve,

after having a triple bypass...still in ICU due to abnormal heart rythm and blood pressure issues?
Say it anyway.

And just yesterday...

How do you say Merry Christmas to yet another sister and her family...

after hearing the tragic news that her husband's brother has just chosen to end his own life after suffering from many health issues and depression?
You just say it anyway.

~

Oh my friends, how do we handle times like these?

I know that God did not send us the Christ Child for parties and lights and celebrations.

He didn't come to guarantee that we would all live a comfortable life without heartache and despair.

He, himself, was born amidst uncomfortable circumstances...in a cold, damp, stinky manger...

and he already knew his own mother would have to face his own death not too far down the road.

So why did he come and why do we still celebrate?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16

~
This is why we can still wish someone a Merry Christmas in the midst of uncertainty and sorrow.

For this reason and this reason alone is why we should!

Because the tears of that little baby in the manger were for us.

 He cried for us then, and I believe he still does today...he hurts when we hurt!

He even died for us because he loves us so much!

~ 

 There's no doubt that there are many who are going through many struggles.

It is my hope and prayer that the Light of World will brighten up your Christmas,

no matter how dark it seems to be right now.

So, to you I say...

Merry Christmas!

Love and hugs,