I heard the bells: when Christmas isn’t about family

posted on : December 23, 2014 posted by : reccewife 0 Comment

The last several years, I have been a whole lot more aware of these posts

and these

and, of course

this year, even a little bit more. Because I’m always more aware of things that effect ME.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,

It’s a nice thought, that Christmas is about family and friends and people, and that’s a whole lot less superficial than a Christmas about expensive decorations and greedy gift openings.

But in our haste to make Christmas less commercial, we have chosen another tangible reason for the season.

Instead of presents, it’s about presence. Could there be anything wrong with that?

And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Well, to be fair, there could.

Because find a widow celebrating her first Christmas alone, and tell her that the day is about being with loved ones.

Find someone who has recently lost their parent, and tell them that the season is about celebrating with family.

Or, in our case, tell my kids that Christmas is about those who will sit around the tree Christmas morning when they know that their dad will sit a world away.

And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said

I love the idea that Christmas is not about things. I love the hope that Christmas is about being together. I love the thought of Christmas being about the presence of our loved ones.

But the truth is, that’s only a comfort to those who have that opportunity.

I want to say that everyone has the chance to be around *someone* who loves them this Christmas, even if it’s not their whole family, because we certainly are fortunate enough to. But that would be wishful thinking, wouldn’t it. Because deep down we all know there are those who will face this season feeling completely alone.

That’s not a very festive thought, now is it?

When things get just a little tough, how easy it is to forget.

For hate is strong, and mocks the song,

of peace on earth, Good Will to Men.

How fragile we make our happiness at Christmastime, if it is dependent on the what or the who here on earth.

Christmas has evolved past that strictly Christian holiday celebrating the birth of a savior, and I am not one of the Keep Christ in Christmas crowd, simply because I don’t believe anyone has ever found Christ by having the wording of their holiday greeting challenged.

But I do believe that Christmas is about hope.

It’s about love.

And not just that love of those we hold dear, though that love is certainly treasured.

It is about Love.

Love that is accessible to all, no matter where they are or who they celebrate with, no matter if they are surrounded by their friends and family or sitting alone at a shelter or playing video games by themselves in their living room or sleeping on a cot in a flak jacket in the desert.

It’s about Hope, because Love came to us.

It’s about Peace.

Not the fragile peace won in earthly battles but the eternal Peace offered to those who seek it.

For us, this Christmas, I pray that though my heart is heavy my lesson is learned.