Christmas Reflections #2

All the Little Children

I never thought I would be an overprotective mom.  My mother raised me to be independent and I want the same for my little daughter Madison.  However, once I became a mother, I felt differently.  I am constantly worried about something happening to Madison (or something happening to me and leaving her without a mother).  I asked my mentor if things ever change and she informed me that they do not.  The one time she didn’t attend a class trip for her boys, the teachers lost her son (thankfully only for several minutes).  My mother told me she didn’t sleep well the entire year I was in Iraq (I was 37).  And then the tragedy in Connecticut.

I was sitting on our hotel bed in St. Thomas last Friday while my little girl slept peacefully beside me.  I turned on the TV and my heart leapt.  I hoped what I was seeing wasn’t real.  I sat there stunned with tears flowing and my body heaving.  I looked at Madison’s angelic face and couldn’t imagine the pain the mothers of those children must be experiencing.  

Lunch last week with a good friend helped me cope.  He said he sees the fallen children on the lap of Jesus Christ.  I hope the mothers in Connecticut receive this same vision.  It’s difficult to understand why such horrible things happen.  I don’t think we should look for an explanation.  All we can do is appreciate what blessings we have at this moment.  Madison was born with a strong spirit but 2 ½ years has proven quite frustrating for us all on many days.  Since the tragedy in CT, Allen and I more often remember just what a miracle is our girl and find strength in her character.

Christmas is my favorite season.  I love to decorate, attend parties, host people, bake cookies and even shop.  I don’t become blue, I don’t feel stressed.  This year I bought too much for everyone.  But it’s this year that I am more thankful for the love I am able to give and receive.  I learned a few years ago that life is short when my best friend lost her soul mate at only 50 years and after only 5 years together.  That touched close to my heart.  This year my heart was almost broken by the loss of God’s children, but it made me realize that we don’t have everyone forever and we must love each other deeply.

This Christmas season, remember that Christ died for us and loves us.

Christmas Reflections #1

Christmas is a time of joy and happiness, of believing in a future of hope and love.  But, somehow this Christmas season is falling short.  One of the young amongst us actually told me that she is getting less in the Christmas spirit the closer it gets to Christmas.  That is a sad state of affairs.  So, today in this last day of Advent, I am committing myself to remembering the true meaning of the season.

Yes, that is a cliché, but I have to say it this year.  With all that has occurred and is occurring right now, I have to make that extra effort to embrace joy and hope.  There are families in Newtown, Connecticut where Christmas presents will be unopened, Christmas dresses and suits will be unworn, chairs will be empty at Christmas dinner and innocent and joyful faces will not grace Christmas services.

For us, we will not see such pain and suffering.  Although, we must grieve and feel the pain of the loss, we are blessed with joy, love, family, happiness and Christ at this Christmas time.  We should talk about this loss to help us cope with its evilness.

One of St. Barnabas’ former seminarians is now at St. James Parish in Farmington, Connecticut (40 miles from Newtown) and shared his sermon following the Newton tragedy with us.  You can read it at this link. As Rev. George Roberts states in this sermon and as Rev. Linda has reminded us, we must take strength from knowing that our God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to die on a cross.

That, is what Christmas is.  Celebrating the love of God, the Hope he gave to us, knowing that He will give us the strength to face crisis.  In this very short last week of Advent, I am committed to setting aside those worldly pressures and demands that deplete my energy and sap my hopefulness.  I will rejoice in the birth of God’s son.  I will sing the praises of His grace.  I will seek and receive God’s love.  Lastly, I wish all people a blessed, safe, festive, joyous and loving Christmas.  Joy to the World.

by Jennifer Lefere

Spiritual Discipline - Join us at Adult Forum in December

Do come by for one of the Adult Forum discussions in December:

1. December 9 Spiritual Discipline - Prayer - Lectio Divina, led by Betty Dunlop
2. December 16 Spiritual Discipline - Solitude and Simplicity, led by Noah Stetzer
3. December 23 Spiritual Discipline - Mary and Praying the Rosary, led by Bob MacFarlane

Discussions start at 9:15 AM and end at 10:00 AM every Sunday, held in the Richardson Room of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church at 4901 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, VA 22003.