Archives For Christmas

Holiday Blues

Jeff Olson —  December 20, 2012 — Leave a comment

The holiday season is normally my favorite time of the year, but not so much this season. While much of the world celebrates the “most wonderful time of the year,” I’m often feeling blue, hurting inside over losing both of my parents this past year.

What I’m finding as I go through this first holiday season without Mom and Dad is that the things I’ve loved my entire life (Christmas music, decorations, family gatherings) are often painful triggers that remind me that my parents are gone.

Thanksgiving was rough. I cried as we drove over to a family member’s house for dinner and felt down throughout the day.

Christmas won’t be any easier. There will be no phone calls wishing each other Merry Christmas. No gifts to exchange. No “I love you’s.”

And when I’ve caught myself feeling festive and enjoying the season, I sometimes feel guilty. It feels “wrong” to be happy and to celebrate when they are not here.

Guilt tells me I should just be sad.

The truth is I am sad—for good reason. But I’m also happy. Though there are times I may need to feel one more than the other, God has been teaching me that it’s okay to feel both. Both can coexist in me.

There are no exact rules to follow as we grieve the loss of those we love, let alone go through the first holiday season without them. We each have to figure out our own way. For me, giving myself permission to experience both sadness and joy has been a part of finding my way through this season of grief.

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Take time for your heart

Jeff Olson —  December 22, 2011 — 3 Comments

Every morning I take a baby aspirin. Heart disease runs in my family, and my doctor says it’s good for the health of my ticker.

The particular brand of aspirin I take etches the shape of a small heart on the side of the pill. At first I thought it was corny. But every time I see it, it reminds me that I’m taking this little pill for the good of my heart.

Just as it’s good to take care of our physical heart, it’s also good to take care of a different kind of “heart.” I’m referring to that unseen place inside each of us that houses our deepest desires, hopes, convictions, and feelings. It’s that place within us where we experience the deepest joys and heartaches of life.

The heart is the center of who we really are. That’s why the book of Proverbs puts a high priority on taking care of it:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
(Proverbs 4:23)

During this Christmas season and even as you enter the New Year, take some time to care for your heart that Jesus was born to rescue and renew. Take a break from the frenetic pace of life and give yourself time to breathe again.

Maybe grab some solitude. Read a good book. Reconnect with a friend or relative.

Do whatever you need to do to tend to your heart. It is the central part of who you are. It is the place out of which you love God and others.

 

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Christmas “Magic”

Jeff Olson —  December 23, 2010 — 1 Comment

My neighbor across the street stopped by the other day to ask how my nephew with Duchene’s Muscular Dystrophy was doing. Last week my nephew faced a life threatening situation because the muscles in his throat that allow him to swallow food stopped working. I told my neighbor that he pulled through a surgery (to put in a feeding tube) that the doctors gave him little chance of surviving. Although he’ll never be out of the woods with his disease, all things considering, he is doing remarkably well.

Immediately, my neighbor (whose long white beard qualifies him as a look-a-like for Santa Claus) chuckled with a huge grin on his face, “See, I guess there is Christmas magic after all!”

My neighbor made a great point. We thought we were saying goodbye to my nephew when they took him  into surgery last week. But our family got a taste of  the miraculous.

Of course, this miracle stems from the ultimate miracle of  Immanuel–that God is indeed with us.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, may you more fully come to know and experience the life-changing truth of Immanuel!

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Charlie Brown

Allison Stevens —  December 20, 2010 — 2 Comments

It’s tradition for us to watch Charlie Brown on television at Christmas time.  We own the DVD, but there is something more fun about catching it on TV instead.

Oh, Charlie, I can so relate to your frustration with the commercialism that we’ve attached to Christmas. Finding the perfect Christmas tree, the perfect decorations, the perfect gifts, the perfect Christmas play. Just writing about it exhausts me.

And then enters Linus.  He saves the day by reminding Charlie and me what this time of year is all about. It’s about a savior. God, coming to earth as a baby, to save us. He brings us peace and goodness. This is the miracle of Christmas.

I’m so glad that we have a reason to see past the materialism and commercialism; all that fades away when I look at Jesus, our Savior, Emmanuel.  In Him we find love, joy, and peace.

Luke 2:11-14:

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . really?

Tim Jackson —  December 14, 2010 — 2 Comments

It was Christmas 1963 when It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year first hit the airwaves. Andy Williams was the first artist to record this soon to become a favorite melody written by Eddie Pola and George Wyle. The lyrics celebrate the good times, fun, laughter, and festive atmosphere that surrounds the Christmas season:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you “Be of good cheer”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
It’s the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It’s the hap- happiest season of all . . .

The song goes on to celebrate the festive parties and holiday celebrations that surround the Christmas season for many. But, is it really the happiest season of all? Or, it that just wishful thinking? Many people experience the holidays as anything but happy.

For those who are facing the first holidays without someone they love by their side,  the holidays can be more of a dreaded reminder of the emptiness and heartache that they are feeling. Grief has a way of invading our lives like an unwelcomed and unstoppable virus that infects every aspect of the holidays. Times that were once filled with joy and hope are now clouded with a dread and emptiness that at times may border on despair. Some one is missing. And we’re devastated. Things will never be the same again.

Holiday heartache is real. And we’d like to help. Join me for a round table discussion on facing grief and loss over the holidays with author Shelly Beach and fellow counselor Jeff Olson. Pull up a chair and a cup of coffee as we walk through a struggle that is common for many this time of year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwZDFm6hcls

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Baby Jesus

Allison Stevens —  December 21, 2009 — 3 Comments

adult and baby handshandinhand.jpbChristmas is upon us and so I’m thinking today of baby Jesus.

Last night, we had a candlelight service with a live nativity at our church.  Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus were played by a young couple with their baby boy.  He was absolutely adorable. Right before Mary (mommy) sang, her 7-week old baby became a little fussy so she handed him to Joseph (daddy). On her fist note (she sang like an angel), her little guy stopped fussing and looked at her.  He was calm and at peace the rest of the song. It was a beautiful, sweet moment.baby in hands

God hears our cries, too. Then, like this mother, He sings to us. His songs are as tender and sweet. And we, like little babies, hear His voice, we take a breathe, and we sigh with relief, and it’s like all our troubles are washed away. “In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears (2 Samuel 22:7.)

Baby Jesus. The man, Jesus. God Jesus. He hears us and is with us. Now. Today. God is with us. Emmanuel. Whatever you face today, remember this: God is with you.

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Mistletoe

Allison Stevens —  December 10, 2009 — 2 Comments

mistletoeMy daughter and her friend are upstairs baking Christmas cookies. Special treats during the holidays are a tradition for us and we look forward to the delicious taste of buttery, sugary delights.

This caused me to wonder about other Christmas traditions. Mistletoe, for instance. Standing under the mistletoe can get you a kiss on the lips or a peck on the cheek. This tradition can be either sweet and romantic with the one you love, or an awkward moment when you deeply regret choosing that particular area to stand. I read a little about the history of mistletoe and I found it a bit more interesting than our modern interpretation of its use.

Apparently, beginning with the Druids and then to the Celtics and Romans, people thought mistletoe had special properties from healing powers, to keeping evil spirits away. This rootless green plant became a symbol of peace. In Rome, if enemies stood under the mistletoe, they would lay down their weapons and embrace. 

What a good time, Christmas, for us to put aside our petty arguments and seek peace with one another. Our disagreements pale in comparison to the love that God has for us. Our differences of opinion mean nothing next to Jesus. Let’s all pretend that the world is standing under huge mistletoe . . . let’s lay down our weapons and embrace!

Jesus brings us together in unity and peace. “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14.)

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