It’s Christmas Eve as I write this. On our way home from dinner with the family we were remarking on how many people were walking the streets alone.
“Why is he alone?” C asked.
“Who do you think he is, where do you think he’s going? I hope he has someone to come home to…”

And I chirp out the optimistic scenario that this old guy is coming home late from work because he’s a chef at a restaurant and of course he’s got family waiting at home…

“Hmm. What about her? And her?” C dubiously rebuts.
“Christmas has always had two sides… On the one I’m so happy because I get to be with the family and we have all this time together doing Christmassy things, but on the other I realize Christmas must be a crazy terrible time for those who don’t have anyone to share it with. That makes me sad.”

I’ve never actually thought about it like that.

You can’t always help it if you find you’re alone for the holidays. Or at any other time. It can be beyond your control. But I realize that the spirit that makes Christmas profoundly special despite one’s status is the spirit of gratitude. Alone or in company, if you take the time to reflect that there are still things you can be thankful for, the absence of what you’re missing isn’t so stark.

I’ve a lot to be thankful for, and I’m not alone in this world. I have love and I am loved. I have health. I am inspired and I create. And I am saved. That’s a lot. It’s been an amazing year. Thanks for sharing it with me.

Let this remind you that neither are you alone, ever. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways, they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91

Angels abound! Merry Christmas!