Advent Devotional: Monday, December 16, 2024

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Illustrated by Clara Guzman (Age 12)

As a child, like almost all children who celebrate, I loved the anticipation of Christmas! I loved helping decorate the tree and the rest of the house. I especially adored the stockings on the mantle. All the kids had red stockings with our names hand stitched on the cuff. On Christmas morning, the stockings were the first things opened. They overflowed with small but fun items, for example a Life Savers Storybook or Bonne Bell Lip Smackers cased in a candy cane. Over the years, the number of stockings grew on the mantle as my brothers and I got married and had children.

When Collin and I celebrated our first Christmas as a married couple, monogrammed stockings were an essential part of the decor. We also had the privilege of adding stockings over the years, first with our two girls then most recently with our oldest daughter’s boyfriend. Christmas 2023 was a wonderful celebration with my children under the same roof. However, Christmas this year will be different. After spending 24 Christmases with our oldest daughter Julianne, she will be spending Christmas in Maine with her future in-laws. Of course I understand, last Christmas we had the honor of having Tim here and I know it was hard on his parents to not have their child with them celebrating on Christmas Eve and morning. So, when I do decorate this year, I will be a bit sad hanging those monogrammed stockings on our mantle knowing that Julianne and Tim will not be here to celebrate this year.

However, I cannot begin to imagine how families who are grieving can celebrate. This year, both of my girls have lost childhood friends tragically. When I look at those monogrammed stockings this year, I hope instead of feeling selfish about missing Julianne and Tim I will instead say a prayer for the parents who will have to endure this season without their children, gone just as they were beginning to start their adult lives. I pray that these grieving families will feel some comfort and hope.

Heavenly Father, as I go through this season, please open my eyes to those who may be lonely or grieving. Please guide my words as I try to offer comfort to those in despair. May they feel your love and find your peace. Amen

Wendy Sinclair

We invite anyone who has experienced loss of any kind to The Longest Night Service tomorrow evening, December 17, 5:30 p.m., SMPC’s Chapel. Contact: Dr. Whitney Bayer, whitney@smpchome.org.

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