Dear Reader:

Haven’t we all found ourselves saying ‘tried and true’ words of condolences about a friend or loved one who passes away around Christmas? We shake our heads and think…it is going to be such a sad Christmas for the family, etc.

Of course this is true…like any day of the year…when someone we care for leaves this world. “The first Christmas” is the hardest…we whisper…and other nod in mutual understanding.

Yet…isn’t Christmas about life, new life, and old? The world was changed one Christmas Eve with the birth of the Christ Child…and it has never been the same again…even Christ’s later passing couldn’t stop life from re-entering our world in a different sphere… re-defining the knowledge of life… ever more.

Minister and theologian, Quinn Caldwell reflects on this theme and adds his personal thoughts on the subject.

” Life is not limited to humans. This is the God who notes the fall of every sparrow, right? Surely God noted the fall of ever pterodactyl. 

“Niney-nine percent of all the different species that once lived are now extinct. And yet, the place is full of life. Why? Because God does not let extinction win. The dinosaurs go down to bones and molecules, and the mammals rise up to take their place. Homo Sapiens appear on earth and one very particular Homo sapiens, soon to be born in Bethlehem, goes down to dust and rises up the king of heaven.”

Death happens, but so does resurrection. Extinction happens, but so does evolution. And if our bones fit together differently when we walk out of the valley than when we walked in, maybe that’s not so bad. Our good looks have taken awhile to settle in our genes. 🙂

On a personal note…God understands that losing our beloved Tiggy at this time of year is emotionally tough…made more so with the holidays…but it is also a lesson in life and the beauty and reassurance that it will continue, no matter what.

No human or animal is so powerful…that the world will stop at their demise…the world will keep turning…and we will keep learning…that loss is part of finding and re-discovering who we are and how to accept change…no matter the circumstance.

So until tomorrow…

The original Christmas Day changed the world forever…ensuring that life would not only continue…but be better because of  the One born in a manger with love enough to help us keep rediscovering unconditional love over and over…with losses and additions to our lives.

Tiggy’s photo was added yesterday to Boo’s Prayer Tree. Poogie and Tiggy together again.

Christmas keeps spreading as I keep finding more ideas….

Making crosses out of cinnamon sticks adds to a Christmas tree…fantastic smells fill the home.

Jake lost something yesterday…his first tooth…his front tooth..a little lisp for Jake this “Merree Chrithmath!” Too cute!