"Do anything and everything you can do to let the light in this season. It works."

I'm a Christmas fanatic. And when I say, "fanatic," I'm saying I'm a tree-up-on-November-1, let's-find-Christmas-lights, where's-the-cookie-cutters, my-presents-have-been-wrapped-for-weeks kinda gal. This. Is. My. Season.
But last year, the holidays marked a terrifying, dark time for me. In mid-October, I went to the doctor about the lumps in my neck and chest, and testing began. On Veteran's Day, I had my first biopsy. A few days later, I knew I had cancer and sat through Friendsgiving celebrations not sharing the news. By Thanksgiving, I was very sick—the sickest I have ever been. And on Christmas, although I kept it together enough to celebrate with my family who came to town, I could barely walk down the hall without losing my breath.
Gosh, y'all, I'm sorry to lay all of that on you. I have never wanted your heart to break for me. But this is the story I feel led to tell. And as a side note, it hurts me writing this as much as it hurts you to read it. It always has. But as humans, we really suck at letting our guards down and finding commonality with each other. I am sure someone—probably everyone—reading this blog has been struck with tragedy over the holiday season. Please, please know: you're not alone.
I know when you're in a tough spot during the holidays you don't want to be holly or jolly. You want to turn off the lights, get under your covers and hide from your attacker. You want to hide from the pain, anxiety, sadness, fear, depression... you don't want to think about the person you lost, the debt you owe, the sickness you face, the failure you made, or the chance you lost. But—and don't stop reading here—the holidays present a very unique time to heal.
Let's unwrap this a bit (see what I did there?): During the holidays, though we are all hustlin' and bustlin', we experience a change in space and a change of pace. Work slows, offices close, tacky decorations are hoisted up, joy-filled TV specials are on (did y'all see Christmas at Graceland?!), and the air seems to shift a bit. It's beautiful and fun and whimsical and unifying. For just a short window, most of the world is celebrating life and joy and each other. What better space to find refuge?
What if, when we are in the trenches with our enemy, we didn't view the holidays with expectations but viewed this season as an escape? A time to forget? A time to let some light in and shut out the darkness? A time to surround ourselves with so much good that our oppressor is terrified?
And for those who are in a stable place and have all their ducks in a row, what if you went above and beyond during the holidays to help your hurting friends heal? Make sure they have they have full stomachs on Thanksgiving, help them put up the tree, bake them more Christmas cookies they can eat, or hang out with them on one of those holidays so they aren't alone?
I know, y'all. This isn't a novel idea. We have all probably seen The Grinch or A Charlie Brown Christmas once or twice. But real person to real person here, this formula works. Letting light in and doing good unto others works.
Here's a bit from the Good Book:
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." - John 1:5 (NLT)
And from Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
Love a little extra this month. Find time to heal while the world looks different. Make an extra batch of cookies for a hurting friend. Get a mani/pedi. Talk to the friend you've been missing. Cook a ham or turkey or prime rib. Do anything and everything you can do to let the light in this season. It works.
Happy Holidays, y'all.
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