The Christmas message this morning at St. John’s Lutheran was simple and understandable:  “there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ Christmas.” Holiday movies such as “The Ref“, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation“, and “Miracle on 34th Street” tries to convey this statement, but in real life, if it isn’t a “perfect” Christmas, it’s a failure.

The holiday season, whether it’s Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Christmas, isn’t always a joyous time of year.  It’s a painful, depressing, and sad.  Someone is unemployed, mourning a loss, or experienced a life event that has affected them greatly.

I feel that this entry from last November is an appropriate one to re-post as a reminder that if things are going well for you, but not for someone you know who’s having a rough time, the best you can do is to be there for them when they need it.