Oh, the expectation of love, peace, and joy at this season! “Again loved Christmas is here, full of divine benedictions and crowned with the dearest memories in human history—the earthly advent and nativity of our Lord and Master,” writes the Discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy. “We count our blessings. . . . Parents call home their loved ones, the Yule-fires burn, the festive boards are spread, the gifts glow in the dark green branches of the Christmas-tree” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 256–257).
Sometimes it seems that Christmas is less about celebrating the “advent and nativity of our Lord,” and more about the expectations of happy family gatherings, festive activities, and abundant gift-giving. These are all lovely, but what if Christmas hopes are not fulfilled? What if a family is fractured by disagreements, divorce, illness, or death? Maybe one is holding on to hurts and misunderstandings or just deeply disappointed in another.
The passage quoted above continues, “But alas for the broken household band! God give to them more of His dear love that heals the wounded heart” (p. 257).
