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Throughout the stores, Christmas decorations have adorned the shelves since Halloween. As December 25 inches ever closer, it can be more and more difficult to avoid seeing the lights, hearing the songs and smelling the cinnamon in the air. However, for some, especially those who are grieving during the holiday season, the decorations, gifts and songs can fill one with sorrow and loss. Fearing everyone else is joyfully participating in the festivities, many don't feel they even have a place to speak their grief, or acknowledge they don't feel "merry and bright" this Christmas season.
However, unlike our cultural holiday season, our Christian faith leaves space, even and especially at Christmas, to acknowledge our grief, and to receive the good news of hope and peace. Our reading from Isaiah 61 proclaims, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed..." In this scripture passage, "the oppressed" refers not only to those who are marginalized, but those who feel poor in spirit, those who grieve, and those who suffer in any way. The good news does not belong exclusively to those who are happy during the Christmas season-the Good News of Christ's presence among us has a special place for those who feel as if they are dwelling in darkness. The LIGHT comes to you, the good news is yours, and Christ's presence is your strength.
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