Tis the season to be jolly! Jolly!? More like:
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Divided
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Depressed
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Isolated
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Anxious
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Misunderstood
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Hurt
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Harmed
… wounds of 2020 sting.
Stringing lights we can’t afford to plug into sockets. Burning holes in our already holey pockets. Double shifts to pay for gifts.
Jubilee feasts with turkey and kin misunderstood. Igniting the flame with each piece of firewood. Knitting mittens, reading Dickens. “Holly Jolly Christmas” Santa sings, simultaneously pushing the poking pillow down his slacks, fake beard sagging. Jolly? Affliction and anguish 2020 imparted. No jolliness for the fainthearted. Still heartsick for the departed. How is Santa jolly? Sing praise this season and sorrows cease? What thaws the raw heart and flawed head? Is it Nick? His nose cherry red? Is it me? My soul filled with dread? Is it anyone here? Is it anyone dead? There is only one. He is not dead. He is right here. No burden alone you must pull. Not giving you coal from the north pole. One alone to lull the broken soul. This season sorrows cease and angels sing, Legions shout hosanna! Faith, hope and charity is where it started. Joyful, our departed lighthearted. Open your eyes, heaven's veil parted. Bliss! “I am with you!” fierce whisper tingles and prickle, tickles ego and conscience fickle. Tenderness zings. Blazing flames dissolve the bitterness, loathing, boasting choking, guns smoking, opposing gloating. Reading Matthew, learning value. Giving love and laughter, time and tolerance, energy and light and wisdom, all gifts that mend deep holes. Freely give, live and forgive.Time is up for all of us to wallow in the wounds of 2020.
Let us...
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Improve
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Heal
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Embrace
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Believe
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Bond
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Heal
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Unite
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And be jolly!
I know that our Savior lives and loves us. He knows us personally and wants nothing more than for us to be happy. This year has been one for the books. So much hatred and discourse, but in the mists of it all, I have felt more peace and assurance that this is all for a reason. I hope instead of us turning to fear, we can turn to faith.
Let Him take our burdens upon Him. He has already paid the price! We can feel immense joy as we trust in Him and do our best to love and serve others as ourselves. I owe all that I am, everything I have, everything I will be, to Him, our beloved Savior, Redeemer, and King of kings, even Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!