Month: December 2023

Missing Loved Ones at the Holidays

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The Holiday Season is hard. We are faced with so many expectations of what we should do. Pressure comes from all directions about how to have the perfect celebration. Add in grief and things get so much more challenging.

Sadly, this is my third Christmas without my Mom. I am writing this curled up under a blanket made of her shirts, drinking a cup of hot chocolate, and eating a peanut butter blossom cookie.

Our memories of loved ones come back to us in so many ways this time of year. I remember a loved one when I add an ornament to the tree that used to hang on their tree. I keep my grandparents’ Christmas tree that sheds more needles than a real tree because my grandfather’s handwriting is there telling me how to assemble it. And I think of my Mom when I bake peanut blossom cookies.

You see this is my Mom’s recipe. It is called Peanut Blossom Cookies. And it comes with the side note that the peanut butter is optional because Mom hates peanut butter cookies. This is such a perfect memory of my Mom. She was a picky eater. She would change recipes by leaving out what she didn’t like. For example, her version of apple salad or only turkey breast at Thanksgiving are famous and true stories in our family. And I would happily leave out the peanut butter to share a cookie with her. Since I cannot, I will stay under this blanket a little longer and give thanks for my Mom and all my loved ones who I miss especially this time of year.

Loving and Faithful God, At this beautiful and holy time of year, we are filled with a range of emotions. We joyfully prepare to welcome baby Jesus and our hearts ache as we miss people we love. We remember how it has been on Christmases past and know that we cannot recreate those memories. Send the Prince of Peace among us to provide the peace we need today. Send the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and companion. And bless all of us who are missing someone special this Christmas. Amen.

Time with the Tree-A Slowing Down Prayer

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Just what you need another reminder to slow down in the busy, busy, busy month of December. I hope you can see this prayer not as a reminder and instead an invitation. An opportunity to pause and breathe. Time to be aware of what is around you. A moment to just be in this time that has become so focused on doing.

Let’s begin by finding a comfortable spot near the Christmas tree. I recommend a blanket and a cup of tea to complete the scene.

And now take a few minutes to soak in the beauty of the Christmas tree. Notice the lights that brighten up the space and the tree. What ornament catches your attention? Focus on that ornament and the memories attached to it. And when you are ready, join me in prayer.

God of All Creation, For the beauty of this season, we thank you. When the grass is brown and the leaves litter the ground, you invite us to bring a symbol of life and light into our homes as a reminder that new life is coming. May the light shining from our Christmas trees inspire us this season to be lights for others and to slow down and pay attention to each other. Slow us down, Holy One, in this time of hurrying so that we may notice you and notice each other. Breathe into us the breath of new life reminding us why we celebrate each December. By the light of this tree, we pause and give thanks. Amen.