It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Advent and the Christmas season are a very special time. For many, it is indeed wonderful. It is a time to celebrate, party, and eat. For the Christian, it is also a time to prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Savior. There is much to be happy about and to celebrate.

This time of the year can also be a very difficult time of the year. I encourage all of us to reach out to those who are alone or have no family in town or have experienced loss of family members or close friends. It is difficult to spend the holidays alone or in grief. I encourage all of us to be family to someone that needs a family.

We are a people of tradition. There are certain things we do or people we spend time with at Christmas and we do not want to change those traditions because it seems like something is missing. At the same time, circumstances change. Family dynamics change. New members come into families and yes, sometimes we lose family members and those we enjoy seeing during the holiday. When those things happen, be willing to make new traditions. Just because you do something one time, does not mean that it will be that way every year from then on. There are times we have to create a new normal. Don’t be afraid to do something new and different.

Enjoy this wonderful time of the year. Remember to make Jesus the center of your celebrations.

Howard