Be gracious this Christmas

Kaity Holtman

I am always quick to talk about how much I love Christmas. I mean, I love pretty much everything about Christmas.

And with Sam now officially crawling and getting into the tree, I am the most excited I have ever been for Christmas.

But I am trying to be mindful that not everyone is excited about Christmas.

This is our first Christmas without my Grandma Kerwin, and we’ll undoubtedly miss her.

She loved watching everyone open presents. Sometimes she would organize a game. We all probably thought it was silly, but it made her smile, so that is what mattered.

For example, she would wrap a bunch of different foods, and one would have a $5 bill in it. We had to pass them around or trade with others until we thought we had the big prize. Then we’d all open at the same time.

And even when she wasn’t in good health, she still wanted to make sure everyone had something to open.

Last year she got Sam (before he was born) a bunch of bibs that he uses daily.

Last year she and my grandpa joined our family on Christmas Day for brunch.

My husband has perfected his sausage gravy recipe, so he makes it every year at our family brunch. She enjoyed it so much, she had a second (heaping) helping. She just went on and on about how she shouldn’t have it, but she said it was just too good.

It made him feel very good to know he had a part in making her Christmas memorable.

She loved Christmas, and I know we will miss her this year.

But I know we are not the only ones missing a loved one this Christmas.

The hard part about Christmas is that the whole point is to be celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth with our family and friends, but not everyone has the family and friends present they want to celebrate.

Maybe loved ones have passed away.

Maybe family members are halfway across the country and can’t be together.

Maybe couples are having trouble starting their families.

Maybe someone lost their job.

Maybe funds don’t allow for a lot of Christmas presents this year.

Whatever it is, we have to keep in mind that the scenes we have in our homes may not be as picturesque in the homes of others.

Christmas can be bittersweet, while we enjoy time and traditions with one another but feel the void left by those we are missing.

So this week, keep those who might be struggling in your minds and on your hearts.

Let them know you’re thinking of them.

Invite them to join your family.

Take them some Christmas goodies.

Make extra effort to visit them after the Christmas service at church.

Send them a card, drop them a note, or give them a call.

Pray for them, specifically and collectively. Offer up prayers of healing and comfort.

And remember to appreciate the blessings God has given you.

Merry Christmas.