God of all Comfort

     Merry Christmas! It was the night of all nights and today is the day of all days. We have a few new inches of snow on the ground. There are presents under the tree. We will be with extended family later this morning. Today can be a wonderful day. It can also be the toughest day of the year. The loneliness is punctuated. The memories are too near and too clear to be comforting. The family is not speaking. There is fear in sickness. There is too much to do. Wherever you are this morning, Jesus is near. He will fill in the gaps. He can be your blessing.

     My daughters are 25 and 23. Our youngest daughter is recently engaged and our older daughter has a serious boyfriend. We love both of their guys, but the time is bittersweet. It is time to let go, but on some days I am not quite ready. Right now our two amazing blessings are sleeping downstairs, maybe for the last time together, in our home on Christmas Eve.

     My mind swirls with memories this morning of chubby hands gripping a melty piece of chocolate on Christmas morning, mumbling with mouth full, that Santa ate his cookies and drank ALL of the milk. The time when, after a nap, our two year old witnessed the tree in the corner that we had just put up and said, “I don’t yike that tree!” and proceeded to sit down with her arms folded in anger.

     The excitement of the early morning stockings with wrapping paper flung around the room leading to exhaustion. They would toddle across the room with their feet tucked into Minnie Mouse or Tweety Bird slippers, and hop on our laps for a cuddle and a doze.

     There is still excitement. They loved giving us our gifts this year. The four of us sat for hours and talked last night. How lucky we are to have them and all of our Christmas memories. Best of all they believe in and love Jesus. The best traditions will continue over the years. I can picture them in their angel robes and halos in the Christmas program. They still love to sing the Christmas songs.

     Wherever you are on this day of all days, take it to Him, the God of comfort and might. He is more than able. Jesus came to earth to be one of us. Now He sits in heaven ready to be your Father, your Shepherd, your King, your Lord, your comfort.

     Right now, I am going to savor the silence before my family arises on Christmas morning. Yes, the stockings are filled. My girls are home. I will savor it. All of it. Right now I need to shed just a few tears with my Savior. He understands.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for memories to fill our hearts. Would you comfort each heart today and fill in the parts that are missing with your glorious love? God of all comfort. We love you.

Amen