It's that time of year again.  Christmas has always been a special time for me, but the last few years have seen this magical time be sadder as many friends and family members have slipped away.  I think when you lose people whether family members or friends that have been close to you, it takes  a lot of your joy out of you emotionally.

One special friend of mine that I had known since I was 14 really left a void when he died unexpectedly in 2013.  It is interesting that soon after that another childhood friend of mine and I started meeting for coffee a couple of times a week and I know God just arranged this to help with my loss. This renewed friendship has been a blessing to me.

Last year a very special nephew of mine, Kenneth died on December 20th.  He was in his 50s and was suddenly struck down.  I would go to his house every Christmas Eve and take gifts, watch Christmas movies with he, his brother.Terry and my sister, Sarah.  My sister died in 2004 and Terry in 2012.

In addition to these losses, my son and his wife divorced in 2013.  They have two boys and now we rarely see them.  It is complicated as they live one state over from us.  We had basically helped raise these children and my wife home schooled them while I was their PE teacher. As a retired teacher, my wife gave countless hours to their schooling. 

So as you can see our hearts were broken over this situation which brought us much grief and continues to do so.  I watch the Young and the Restless today and there was a situation like this happening in this particular episode a young girl was being pulled between mother, dad and her grandparents.

As  I write this article I am not so naive as to think I am the only person grieving  about all these losses.  There are countless situations just like this around the world.

My wish today is that God will especially touch all of his people who are suffering from such grief today whether it is about death, divorce or some other heart tearing tragedy.

I close with this special prayer.  Jesus touch those of us that are hurting today and  hold us tight in your arms of love and mercy and bring peace to our hearts.

Lord help us to celebrate this holiday.  I thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die on the cross so we can have the blessed hope we have.

Amen