Published November 11, 2021 by in
Cindy Palmer, Associate Pastor
Hi, I’m Cindy, and it’s important to know that holidays can be really fun, but also really hard. We usually have images in our minds of how holidays should be, often with expectations that are not met. Some have in mind a Norman Rockwell type of Thanksgiving or Christmas, with everyone around the table, about to eat a huge turkey. Thoughts of people opening Christmas
presents that they like is a great memory.
Thanksgiving and Christmas can be times of great fun and joy. It is so fun to watch young children and their excitement about Christmas. Each year I look forward to our Preschool’s Christmas programs. It is encouraging to watch their joy.
But holidays can also be stressful and complicated.
If you have family members who struggle to deal with life on a daily basis, an expectation that your holiday season will be merry and bright is unrealistic. If someone is unhappy most of the year, they usually don’t become happy, happy, happy during the holidays. If someone you love is ill, the holidays seem sad. Sometimes it’s just hard, and that’s especially true when someone we have loved has died in the last year, or even a few years ago. How do we survive this season?
Surviving the Holidays is a two-hour video/discussion/reflection event that will be held on Tuesday, November 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in room 228. Facilitated by Joanne Carter and Marian Griffin, this experience will help equip you for hard days during the holidays. There will be practical suggestions, sharing, and prayer that will help with navigating a difficult season. Surviving the Holidays is a special holiday program produced by GriefShare, a grief support program. Please let us know you’re coming at firstchurch.net/events or send me an email at cpalmer@firstchurch.net so I will have a workbook for you.
Our Wednesday night programming will begin on January 12, and one of the options will be a GriefShare class. Registration will be open on our website by December 15. It is a thirteen-week program designed to help those dealing with the loss of a loved one.
As believers, we are called to bear one another’s burdens. We walk this road of life together, knowing that God is faithful. Our hope is in Him.