This Strange Christmas

I know, this is not my normal day to post. You know that I missed posting on my normal day last week. We all know that it's 2020 and unexpected and strange things happen that throw a plan off course. And although COVID has nothing to do with why I didn't get a post written last week, let's just blame it on the virus and move on shall we?

Last Spring I remember writing a post called "Silent Saturday" about how Easter didn't look anything like what I was used to but it made me focus on what was really important about the holiday. At that time I never expected things to still look so strange at Christmas. Even as I write this I'm sitting on my couch, staring and my tree and all the lights and decorations I've put up, while knowing that, although my house may look like Christmas, this holiday isn't going to look like the last few years.

Part of that is what everyone's experiencing, it's 2020, COVID is still hanging over our heads, gatherings are limited and masks are mandated. Part of it is personal. One of my brothers is in the NAVY now so he won't be home for Christmas and sadly, neither will his wife. One of my roommates got married this year so I won't be able to spend Christmas Eve or Christmas with her as I have the last couple of years. For only the second time in my entire life I don't have a church I'm involved in right now so I won't be involved in any services at my home church. (I will be attending services at the church I grew up in where my family still attends though.)

Some things look normal, some look different. I'm not exactly sure how everything will play out but I know it's going to be a strange Christmas for a lot of people. So what do you do? 

Focus on what is happening. If you're at home with family then focus on them and take some extra time as you focus on the reason for the season. Make sure your kids really know the story, take time to discuss how Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, the wise men and the innkeeper may have been feeling. If you're by yourself then read the story with fresh eyes. Maybe even try a different Bible translation to help you see it differently.

If you're able to go somewhere for Christmas then be grateful for that. It's a blessing not everyone will have. If you're at home then find a way to make it cheery even it's just a few lights or candles placed in the windows. You might not think too much of it but it might cheer up a neighbor walking by. Or send out Christmas cards! That's something that I love to get in the mail!

Give generously. There are so many people hurting financially this year. If you're able to then donate toys, food or even money to families you know or organizations or who can make sure those gifts are going where there needed. And if you can't give, that's okay! But you can smile, or speak an encouraging or friendly word, and that's just as important this year!

Finally celebrate! Start with celebrating traditions, whether this is the year you resurrect an old tradition, carry on one that never died or create a new one, find a way to celebrate a tradition. Traditions can be serious or goofy but they have a way of helping us remember. Remember why we celebrate, remember who we celebrate with or just remember the fun times we've had in the past. And even if you skip the traditions phase then you can still celebrate. Even with everything that's gone on this year we can still celebrate Christmas! Jesus is the reason for the season and that will always be worth celebrating even on this strange Christmas!