Like it or not, life doesn’t come with a “pause” button! As children, many of us associated Christmas with no school for two weeks, enjoying parties, and opening gifts. At some point, however, we learn that parties don’t plan themselves, gifts don’t just show up (or do they?!), bills still have to be paid, and we’re still expected to show up to work. We want to celebrate Christmas, but schedules get busier, grief intensifies, loneliness lingers, and life can be quite demanding. Something within us wants to compartmentalize those thoughts and feelings that don’t align with our idealisms of Christmas.

My advice is simple: “Celebrate anyway!” Christmas is a time to remember the arrival of Jesus, the Word made flesh. Jesus’ love compelled Him to come to us in the midst of our complexities. His presence brings peace. His love brings Hope. His voice brings life. Even when life is complicated, Jesus is worthy to be celebrated!