Merry Christmas!

This is the first Christmas in a long, long time, that I’m not entertaining. I know that last year, when I scaled back on the number of parties I usually host, I thought it was a quiet Christmas. In comparison to last year, this year takes the prize! As I write, it’s Christmas Eve and I’m not rushing around trying to cook or bake things. There are several reasons for the change.

It’s been a busy year. I’ve not been in my role for a year. What a year it’s been. There’s been a lot of travel and meeting people and this has made the days zip past. Some of the people I’ve met through this job have been amazing: I’ve been humbled by their capacity to pray for and be generous towards others. I’ve been stumped by those who naturally empower and inspire others. I’ve been captivated by the Biblical idea of community that has been put forward. I’m grateful to God for all these people that I’ve met, even if I’m a little tired, I am immensely grateful.

I am also very grateful for the family and friends I have. I’m glad that dad and I can spend the day with them in their homes and enjoy the delights of the season. They have planned much and prepped much. For this, I am very grateful to God.

There’s a need for a bit of quiet and calm considering some of the events that happened this year. A wonderful friend left Malaysia in January. I was happy for her because the delay in her move meant her family was separated. She’s going through grief at the moment because of bereavement and I feel her mood and can’t be there to condole with her. Another dear couple have also just left Malaysia to make their home elsewhere. I’m excited for the prospects before them and for the home they’re setting up, including a rum ball factory! There’s only so much joy I can show from here. The distances and time differences between all of us are pretty big. I miss them. Yet another friend who is here has had a bit of a health scare and has suffered a big loss within the same space of time. She’s not up to much or else if she was around, she’d be a sure visitor in our home. One friend has had to be distanced. It was necessary but so sad. I feel like I have lost a daughter there. Over and above all this, there’s the loss of Patches, that I keenly feel especially as Christmas reminds me of the time he stole a turkey and earned the name, ‘the Turkey  Thief’. I also always miss my mum and my gran a lot more over this period. Additionally, I’m seeing my RA progress more than I care for it to. It wears me out. I’m exhausted. I’ve had to cancel visits from friends or requests to meet up. I’m not so sure that I am grateful to God for all these things! I do ask Him why this is happening.

So, the Christmas tree isn’t up. It’s not coming out this year. I can see the energy I’ll require to put it up and the ease with which my bouncy, Loki, who’s living up to his name, will bring it down! No thank you! That battle will wait for another year. No shopping, baking or cooking to the scale of years past. And yet- it is Christmas!

Thankfully, Christmas doesn’t depend on the festivities we have. Thankfully it’s not dependent on the way my tree is decorated or how many parties I host. Thankfully, it exists regardless of my strength to shop, bake or cook. Thankfully – because as I think on how many things there are that are making me feel sad, I also know that all sadness and pain is temporal, even though at the time we’re going through these, it doesn’t feel like they’re temporary. One of my favourite verses in the Bible is Revelation 21:4, which says: ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ This, I believe, is only possible because of Jesus, who came to earth as a human child. Over Christmas, we remember this birth that guarantees us freedom from pain and sorrow. I cannot imagine such a time now as I consider the circumstances that surround me and those dear to me. Yet, I know this promise to be a sure truth- and for that, despite all the busyness and troubles, I can say I am grateful to God! So for that reason, I can say a resounding ‘Merry Christmas’ to all believers! Remember His promise and take comfort – it is much to be grateful for indeed.