My Not So Normal Christmas

As I sit here on December 26th, listening to Canada Geese honking across our pond, I reflect back on the past few days and the Christmas that didn’t happen.

On Sunday the 13th, my husband and I both had symptoms of something; his were typical Covid symptoms, mine was vertigo and nausea. Because he coaches girls basketball and the girls are not required to wear masks during practice or games, we are always attentive to possible signs of Covid. So we both went to get rapid (antigen) tests on Monday. Both were negative.

His symptoms got worse and I developed new, typical (very mild) Covid symptoms as well. We decided to do a more reliable test on Wednesday. The results came Thursday night. I was negative and he was POSITIVE!!! At that point, we quickly took measures to isolate from each other; using separate bedrooms and bathrooms, keeping a distance of 10 feet or more whenever we were in the same room, disinfecting surfaces, etc.

We contacted our five adult children and had to completely change all our Christmas plans. Trips were canceled, calendars were changed and gifts were sent out of state to kids and grand-kids that we wouldn’t get to see this year.

Was I sad? You bet I was!

But under the sadness there’s joy.

Several of my friends have experienced tragedy in the past couple of months. Four have lost their mothers to Covid. One friend lost her husband, a relatively healthy, robust man of 65 years. And a dear twenty-five-year-old friend was tragically killed in a car wreck less than a week ago. She left behind her husband, two young children, and other loving family members. I can barely wrap my brain around this horrific event.

If any of those mentioned could miraculously get their loved ones back, they would be filled with a joy that couldn’t be contained. Shouldn’t we, who still have our loved ones with us, realize the blessings we have? My husband is still miserable, but he’s recovering and he’s still alive. I hope I never take him for granted. My kids and grand-kids are healthy and alive. Shame on me if I don’t rejoice in that fact. Our circumstances will change. But for now, rejoice in what we have. We are all rich in blessings.

Sadness, sickness, disasters, betrayal, and death have existed from the beginning of time. No one is immune. When it happens we should “weep with those that weep” and “mourn with those that mourn”. We should “comfort those who are in any affliction”.

And then we should look up. Up into the face of the One who died for us and who now lives for us and in us. The One who loves us with an infinite, immeasurable love. The One who has prepared a place for us. The One who will come back to get us and take us to be with Him forever. This is not our home. We are sojourners, aliens here on earth. Heaven is our home. A place where God himself will wipe away our tears.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” - Jesus (John 14:1‭-‬3)

In spite of all the ugliness here on earth, we are to live lives in very close touch with our Lord. This is possible because of the death of Jesus on the cross. He was born as a tiny baby so He could die for us. And if we receive this gift, we then are indwelt by His Spirit. This never ceases to amaze me!

In spite of any circumstance, we can go through life with this undercurrent of joy and peace. In the midst of the deepest grief and suffering, He is there holding us and comforting us, with promises of total healing and restoration and indescribable joys to come.

“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.” (Revelation 21:4)

And yes, even the MacKinney Christmas will happen in time. The gifts are still waiting under the tree and we have a tentative date when our local family will gather and celebrate together. And on that day, in the middle of the chaos and noise, I think I’ll be extra aware of our many blessings.