I come from a
broken family with an alcoholic father and a very violent mother. As a child, I can
only remember violent and very disappointing Christmas Holidays. My father had
the habit to destroy the ‘Holy Night’ while my mother was in her violence too vulnerable
to enjoy the Birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. There were gifts under the
Christmas tree, a worldly tradition in a family without connection to the
Christian faith at all. What a pity!
I only remember once that I was actively involved in preparing gifts for our parents and for each of my four sister incl. my stepsister of my mother’s first marriage. I remember that on this Christmas I bought a beautiful orchid from a flower shop as a present for my violent mother in an attempt of let her see that I care but my hopes were again crushed in a very violent and hurting way.
I remember once I’ve tried to mend the relationship with my Dad after their divorce while he was living with his third wife many years later. We had, as usual, an argument over trivial matters a few days before the Holy Night. I remember that I did not want to accept their invitation as a result but while taking a bath I’ve heard a clear voice ‘Go!’ Therefore I’ve decided to jump over my shadow and give in.
It was a snowy Holy Night with much ice on the road and the bus was nearly empty. Visiting my father I usually went through the backyard to knock on their glass door. I can’t explain why but on that night I went to the front door and rang the doorbell. My father did not expect me to visit them after the previous argument but when he opened the door I saw tears in his eyes, the first and the last time in my life! It was the only Holy Night I was drunk and had to walk home because it became too late to catch the last bus. But I hope this night restored some faith of my father while he was still alive!
For me, the Holy Night is the highlight of every year. During this special evening, I feel very clearly the presence of the Spirit of our Lord. When adults in trouble want to see hope they have to look into the eyes of children opening their wrapped gifts; when the very young and innocent still believe in this magic on Christmas evening even they do not quite comprehend the story of Jesus Christ’s birth.
Many adults but also many children do not recognize the magic in ‘the night when Christ was born’ and are apathetic because they can not dream anymore. Their life became hopeless and dull through disappointments; they don’t have shiny eyes anymore.
I only remember once that I was actively involved in preparing gifts for our parents and for each of my four sister incl. my stepsister of my mother’s first marriage. I remember that on this Christmas I bought a beautiful orchid from a flower shop as a present for my violent mother in an attempt of let her see that I care but my hopes were again crushed in a very violent and hurting way.
I remember once I’ve tried to mend the relationship with my Dad after their divorce while he was living with his third wife many years later. We had, as usual, an argument over trivial matters a few days before the Holy Night. I remember that I did not want to accept their invitation as a result but while taking a bath I’ve heard a clear voice ‘Go!’ Therefore I’ve decided to jump over my shadow and give in.
It was a snowy Holy Night with much ice on the road and the bus was nearly empty. Visiting my father I usually went through the backyard to knock on their glass door. I can’t explain why but on that night I went to the front door and rang the doorbell. My father did not expect me to visit them after the previous argument but when he opened the door I saw tears in his eyes, the first and the last time in my life! It was the only Holy Night I was drunk and had to walk home because it became too late to catch the last bus. But I hope this night restored some faith of my father while he was still alive!
For me, the Holy Night is the highlight of every year. During this special evening, I feel very clearly the presence of the Spirit of our Lord. When adults in trouble want to see hope they have to look into the eyes of children opening their wrapped gifts; when the very young and innocent still believe in this magic on Christmas evening even they do not quite comprehend the story of Jesus Christ’s birth.
Many adults but also many children do not recognize the magic in ‘the night when Christ was born’ and are apathetic because they can not dream anymore. Their life became hopeless and dull through disappointments; they don’t have shiny eyes anymore.
While serving
homeless and low-income families I often encouraged them to call their
relatives during the Holidays, many times I’ve shared my own experiences with
them. But no one would overcome him- or herself to pick up the phone because ‘they
felt shame’. I can kind of relate to that but as Christians, we can overcome
this with the help of our Lord. Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Church in
Galatia: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
If someone is out there alone, out there for a lonely Holy Night because of many arguments, disappointments or broken promises I encourage everyone to be brave not only to face their problems but also to overcome these difficulties and be open for challenges. I encourage not only the homeless to research what happened in their lives that this once beautiful newborn baby become homeless – without parents and family. Jesus encouraged us to pray for our enemies that they may change…
As mentioned I came from a broken and violent family myself; at a low point my own mother asked me several times “why did Goethe have to die and you are still alive?” This hurt me so much - but with the help of our Lord I was not only strong enough to forgive her but found the strength to learn from her mistakes and built my own healthy family. “31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).”
If someone is out there alone, out there for a lonely Holy Night because of many arguments, disappointments or broken promises I encourage everyone to be brave not only to face their problems but also to overcome these difficulties and be open for challenges. I encourage not only the homeless to research what happened in their lives that this once beautiful newborn baby become homeless – without parents and family. Jesus encouraged us to pray for our enemies that they may change…
As mentioned I came from a broken and violent family myself; at a low point my own mother asked me several times “why did Goethe have to die and you are still alive?” This hurt me so much - but with the help of our Lord I was not only strong enough to forgive her but found the strength to learn from her mistakes and built my own healthy family. “31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).”
Wish everyone a peaceful
Merry
Christmas! Joyeux Noël! Frohe Weihnachten!
in our Lord Jesus Christ!
