A Different First Christmas

by Victoria, in category Encouraging, Faith & Spirituality, Inspirational & Motivating

A Different First Christmas – from my heart to yours.

Someone I know lost their father yesterday – somewhat unexpectedly. I found myself feeling quite sad for the family. We’re so close to Christmas and although it’s a joyous time for most, this will be the first Christmas without their loved one.

I pondered on that thought for some time. You know how you can buy those “Baby’s First Christmas” or “Our 1st Christmas Together” ornaments?

What could you possibly give someone who’s experiencing a different kind of first?

Whether it be the first Christmas without a child, a parent or another loved one or maybe a first Christmas very different from the previous year – a divorce, loss of a home, loss of career, etc., not everyone is feeling joy this Christmas.

Do you know someone who is heading into Christmas with a heavy heart, regardless of the reason? How could you lift that person up? How could you show you care?

Are you someone faced with a first not-so-joyful Christmas? My heart goes out to you. I’ve had the first Christmas, too.

Yesterday, someone shared this song with me and it’s soooooooo good. Good for the soul and uplifting to the spirit. Too good not to share, really. I’m a new fan of Tenth Avenue North. Here is their song Worn.

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that’s frail and torn
I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
‘Cause I’m worn
In closing, I want to share one of the readings from Living Faith Daily Devotion in its entirety, as written by Steve Givens. It’s a beautiful message.
Yours, O Lord, are greatness and power, majesty, grandeur, splendor, and glory. For all in heaven and on earth is yours. – 1 Chronicles 29:11
At the lowest moments of my spiritual journey, I know that I am weak or afraid because I am spending too much time inside my own head and not enough time listening for the still, small voice of God that resides someplace much deeper.
At those moments, I have found that the best medicine is to stand before the sun as it rises or sets. In that majestic and splendid moment, when a day’s worth of light either appears just above the horizon or dips below it, my fears and doubts about God have little choice but to dissolve. For in that shining moment of newness and light, everything points to God, the source of all light and the creator of everything illuminated by it, including little old me.
Creator God, may the daily miracle of the sun open me up to the divine possibility of you.
May God bless you and yours this Christmas and always.
written with love by victoria

About Victoria

Hi there! I'm Victoria: wife & mother of three with one pooch living in rural ND. I am a professional photographer turned writer, published author, and side-hustle entrepreneur. I firmly believe everything is "figureoutable," and if it doesn't challenge you - it doesn't change you.