Christmas is upon us. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, I am aware that there are many around me who are grieving sudden and difficult losses. Today I am holding these people in prayer, praying that as they show up to places where they likely don't feel like going, they will experience the peace of Christ and the love of God in ways that bring them comfort and strength, even joy.
One of the great blessings of my work is that I must "show up" even when I don't feel like it. I need to read and reflect on scripture every week. I need to come to worship. And when I simply show up and pay attention I am nearly always blessed by the people around me, by the scripture I read, and by the Spirit which is so evident to me in this place. Woody Allen said "80% of life is just showing up."
It may take everything some people have this week to get out of bed, to attend a funeral service, to wish someone "Merry Christmas," or enter our church doors for our Christmas Eve service. I am praying that God gives each of these people the strength to "simply show up." And the blessing will follow.
"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not be overcome." John 1:5
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