The Holiday Season is meant to be a time of thanksgiving and joy as we gather with our families to celebrate all that God has done for us through Christ and all that His has bountifully blessed us with in life.

This time of year is filled with memories from former days and wonders of childhood. Many of us can recall large family gatherings, filled with laughter and fun — a time when everything seemed perfect — a time when all seemed right.

…But, our holidays may not be the same anymore…

We may have lost loved ones, our families may be separated by great distance… or we may be separated due to other circumstances… 

As joyful as this season can be, it may also be a difficult time. Holidays can bring with them a mixture of emotions.

As we head into Thanksgiving and follow that up with Christmas, let me speak a word of comfort to those who deal with any type of difficulty during this season. Here are a few things that I try to keep in mind:

• I love good food… BUT the perfect meal doesn’t matter. What matters is gathering with those you love, preparing for and serving them so that you all may enjoy God’s blessing and fellowship with one another. It doesn’t matter if something gets burnt or gets ruined… What matters is the thought and the desire that you had to serve others– to those who serve and cook for their families — thank you so very much!
  
  
• If some people are missing from the table, pray for them and for those that miss them. When we long to be with someone, it reveals how much we truly care about them, and rather than remorse what we do not have at the moment, let us enjoy what we do have or did have. Longing reveals love, and what a blessing it is to know love.
  
  
• When you are with your guests, enjoy them deeply. Don’t worry about trying to fix “this” or “that”, keep any criticisms to yourself, and set aside any petty differences you might be holding. Instead of saying anything negative or harsh, shower them in kindness and affection. Let them know that you love them and that you are always there for them.
  
  
• Be gracious with others… Be gracious with yourself. Instead of focusing on things we cannot control or things we do not like, let’s keep our gaze focused on Christ. Let us be thankful for EVERYTHING that he has blessed us with, and let us enjoy our FELLOWSHIP with Him and with others.
  
  
• You are loved. You are valued. You are cherished. 

I pray that your holiday season is blessed. I pray that you are surrounded by people that you love and enjoy — and who love and enjoy you! I pray that you know and feel the love of God through all that He has graciously given us, namely His son, Jesus Christ. Because of Him, we are the blessed of God! And we have so much to be thankful for!

May God richly bless you in His Son, 

Dr. Aaron George Glover