It is here! Christmas Day!!! For some of you, the morning may have started off early with eager young children anxious to see what has been left for them under the tree. For others it may have gotten off to a more leisurely start. However the day began for you, I hope that somewhere in the midst of the celebration, you take a moment to remember the reason we have Christmas in the first place. These ornaments came from various congregants over the years – seems a suitable gift for a Christian Chaplain. They remind us that the core of this holiday is a birth day, long foretold, anticipated, heralded by angels, marveled at by shepherds, honored by wise men. It is meant to be a day of joy, of connecting with loved ones and with heaven. I hope these things happen for you.

Maybe, though, this is a hard day. Perhaps there is loss, grief, disappointment or isolation. These aspects of the human experience are never easy, and the holiday season may increase the sharpness. I hope that you will encounter a measure of peace, that you might feel seen or heard. And I hope that all of us will be on the lookout for the stranger who might need room at the inn.

Perhaps this isn’t a religious holiday for you. That’s ok – we all find our own path for meaning. I invite you to be glad for those of us who celebrate this day as a holy day and take a moment to reflect on the stories and beliefs that add meaning to your life. Whatever this day is for you, may it be wonderful.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Note: This has been a lot of fun, so much so that I am going to continue til the end of the month, so check back for more ornaments.