Christmas is a season of celebration, family get-togethers, gift exchanges, and just generally a time of joy.

But, for many of us, Christmas hurts.  We have lost too much. We have lost someone who was really important in our lives – spouse, parents, children, siblings, pets, even partners or work colleagues. We have lost something that was actually part of our identity – our car, home, work, mobility. We are stressed by work, lack of work, financial obligations, health, grief, pain, confusion, fear.

And yet, it is at this moment – at this time – that God can reach us and minister to us.