I’m laying on my couch with only the lights of the Christmas tree and my tv on. My sister and I have been texting back and forth asking what we are going to do for Christmas. She’s currently quarantining as she was exposed to a positive case. I’m thankful that she doesn’t have any symptoms so far.

This year has been hard. I began a new call just as this pandemic started. I met a lot of my new parishioners on Zoom. The Zoom fatigue is real, but I’m so grateful that I’ve had Zoom to connect with others. In many ways, it’s been a life line.

My heart aches for the families that have suffered such great loss this year. I’m reminded of sweet Marvel who gifted me the beautiful tree skirt that currently is wrapped around the base or my Christmas tree. She passed away from complications from Covid pneumonia. She was one of the healthiest women that I know. And her story is only one of the thousands who have passed away this year.

The essential workers have continued to care for so many and yet they too have found themselves defeated and worn down by this virus. My mom’s nursing home called three weeks ago to inform me that mom tested positive for COVID. My heart sank into my chest. How do you explain to a 70 year old woman who lives with bipolar disorder and some early signs of dementia why she has to quarantine? She was so sad and I couldn’t give her a hug etc. Yet I’m so incredibly thankful that mom escaped with no symptoms.

I’m not sure what Christmas will look like next week, but what I do know is Jesus will be born. And as Emmanuel “God with us” we need him more than ever. This infant who comes for the lowly, the outcasts, those on the margins and every single person on earth.

Today I sing of God’s faithfulness as mom didn’t have any COVID symptoms when she tested positive. I sing of God’s faithfulness that sometimes we need to experience the darkness to come to the light. I sing of God’s love that God has never left us or forsaken us in the midst of this pandemic. I will sing and tell the story of God’s love that continually calls us to lament and leave our burdens at the foot of the cross and in the manger.

“Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world! Joy to the world! The Savior reigns.”