Strengthen Your Family This Christmas

It's getting more and more difficult to get everyone together for Christmas, but I think it is more important than ever that we do. I'm so blessed to be in a family where love reigns and we want to see each other. I guess I could say I'm blessed to part of a family at all.

My grandparents began a legacy of godliness and goodness and my children reap the benefits. Those kids of mine don't realize how blessed they are. Not yet. But one day they will. One day they will realize not everyone grows up in a family where it is a good thing to get together. Oh, our clan is not perfect, but so many families don't even speak. In some families, the grownups live darkly or selfishly and the kids don't want anything to do with them. Get-togethers are forced, uncomfortable and dreaded. I hear of families that haven't spoken for years. Christmas is about being reconciled - being friends again - and forgiveness allows that.

In this season of joy, how sad it must be to be isolated from loved ones. How sad not to give and receive love from your family members. When we hurt each other, we hurt whole families. And when we refuse to forgive, the hurt continues.

So, we synchronized our calendars and schedules and made time to get together last weekend. It wasn't easy. Some didn't feel well, some drove long distances, but when we gathered in a circle and talked about our love for family and the light we have inside, it was worth it. We were stressed right up until the doorbell rang, but joyful by the time it was over.

Sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone is a warm hug or word of encouragement. My brother began our family time praying for us. Some of us had had a pretty rough year and needed it. My wife had lost a sister and had a major seizure, knocking her out of the work she loves. My dad had a minor stroke a couple of months ago.

And then, when we read the Christmas story, its familiar and comforting words reminded us why we go through what we do. This world is not our true home. We are only visitors here and the trials we face pale in comparison to the rewards that await us.

The song "I'll be Home for Christmas" is so sweet and sad when you realize its history. It was written during World War II in honor of those who were stuck in a foreign land fighting for our peace and safety. We find ourselves in that same situation this year. Our family prayed for those brave men and women who are taking the front over there so it will not come over here. I hope you, too, remember to pray for them this year.

I write these words because I want families to be strong. I want us to make the effort to love each other, to uplift each other, and to spend time together. I want us to realize that the decisions we make affect those around us, including the innocents. I hope your Christmas get-togethers have a spiritual element. Christmas is not just about getting and receiving material things, it is about love for all people.

When families are strong, our society will be strong. Find your way through the stress and materialism that Christmas has become and use this time of year to strengthen your family. You will spread joy to others and you will receive it back many times over.

You can contact Craig Harris at www.apparentlyso.net.