For many of us, Christmas is a bittersweet time of year. It is a time for remembering both persons and events that have been a part of our lives in the past, but that are now changed or gone. Christmas can reveal the ways in which we belong as well as the ways in which our connection with others has been broken or is non existent.
This year I will be with my wife and four young children. We are thrilled that two grandmothers will be with us over the holiday. There will be much joy and laughter as we spend time together.
But I am very close to someone who lives far away from me and who is suffering deeply this Christmas. His wife died suddenly some time ago and the grief continues to be intolerably painful. For him Christmas is not a time of joy and connection. It is a blue Christmas. People who work the phones on help lines report that more people call during this time of year, wanting to end their lives, because they do not want to spend another Christmas holiday alone.
Lots of people, more than we could imagine, are living a blue Christmas. Join me in being watchful over the next days. Be ready to express yourself through a random act of kindness or to act on a thought of generosity.
What we share most deeply with every other human being in this world is our longing to belong. We can connect with almost anyone at this level and this is the perfect time of year to reach out in this way.
I wish you a peaceful holiday. Thank you for your interest in and commitment to L’Arche. Onwards into a new year together.
It matters.
Nathan Ball
