Christmas; Two Sides of the Same Coin

The season of Christmas can be very magical. For many, it is a time of inspiration, and renewed convictions of faith and spirituality. It is a time when people have opportunities to express heartfelt feelings of love, happiness, and devotion. Friends and family gather near together where traditions and memories are shared -- the good and the sad.

The season of Christmas is also a time that can be difficult for many as well. Our friends, our brothers and sisters, our parents, our children and co-workers can sometimes see Christmas as a time that brings memories of deep pain or sadness. They may experience feelings of isolation, despair, depression and self-pity. Although the seasons of our lives are many, the 4 seasons and its special days of observance can have a profound affect on people who are going through tough times, or have been through any number of traumatic life events. If these traumatic events happened around the holidays, a phenomenon known as anniversary syndrome can have devastating effects. Here are a few examples of anniversary syndrome:

• A love they celebrated with at this time, last year
• A child who’s gone because of illness
• Someone received a shocking report from the doctor
• A divorce, separation or dealing with hurt feelings, lying or someone who’s been unfaithful
• People who were traumatized or experienced violence through no fault of their own
• A car accident
• Drunk drivers who kill, and the drivers who are regretting a very bad decision
• The out-of-work father who feels less than a man because he can’t provide
• The job seeker & the student who is in deep debt.
• Our soldiers fighting on foreign soil
• The men & women who are protecting our freedom
• The little boy and the little girl who now understands loss.
• The drug addict who wants to be clean
• Those who cannot find much to smile about and have no joy and or peace

You are not going out like that, we are coming after you. We care and we need you because you are too important to us. Not just in the up times, but also when you are down. You are here and we are your friends. We are your loved ones and we will need your help one day.

We can’t’ change yesterday, although we do need each other today. The pain and problems of today will one day make you a great teacher, with ready lessons to share. It’s okay to take my hand and I’ll give you a pass to ask for my help. Your choices are few -- stay and help me to grow. Let us all have a wonderful Christmas! Hey it’s true! We are better together; we’re two sides of the same coin.


Minister: Terence Efrem Gray Sr.