My friend is signing her divorce papers today after nearly 20years of marriage. For a practicing, devout Catholic like her, it feels like ultimate betrayal of God and of everything she always stood for and had defended. Although the demand for separation did not come from her, she feels guilty. “I am not having any Christmas this year” she told me yesterday “ I do not think I deserve it. I wish I could just go to work on that day”. She declines our invitation and I understand her. Whoever you are who are reading this – please say one “Hail Mary” for those who are mourning their marriage.
Another friend of mine is mourning the recent passing of her brother. She feels angry with God. “Why does he allow death at all? Is He not the God of life? My brother was still young..” She, too, deleted Christmas from the next week’s calendar. “ I will read a book instead”. Whoever you are who are reading this – please do not forget the recently bereaved as you pray on the Christmas Eve. They need it.
I remember my own Mother’s death mid-December, years ago. It was sudden and she was the cornerstone of the whole family. That year we went through the Christmas Eve’ celebrations numbed with grief. The Christmas tree stood in the corner of the living room dark, unlit.Our best friend, Tim, hearing the news, flew over from New York and practically brought all Christmas foodstuffs with him. That year he became our Christmas star.
Whoever you are who are reading this – look around you. Is there anyone on the verge of desperation on this dark, dark December night which needs the Star of Love so badly? Not everyone is able to see it – for many various reasons. If we do not bring Jesus’ love to others, who will? Wounds open at Christmas time but God sends us all out to close them.