RoslynReynolds.com

Rejoice and Be Merry!

Posted On Monday, November 30th, 2009

Under: Death of a loved one, Grieving, Healing after Loss, The Power of a Positive Outlook, The healing power of Faith in Christ

I pulled out all the Christmas CDs over the weekend. We listened to them as we put up the Christmas tree, and as we set the Nativity out on the mantel. I’m feeling the Spirit of the Season!

Holidays can be difficult for those of us who have lost loved ones. The first few years tend to be the very hardest – old traditions lose their luster – it’s just not the same without our loved one near our side. Memories of the times we felt complete and together make the present aloneness almost unbearable. The happy feeling around home that used to flow back and forth between us is missing, and that familiar face isn’t waiting around the corner to reflect our joyful smiles.

I remember early in our marriage sometimes being so overcome with the joy of the season that I would just run up to my husband and hug him. I felt so full of gratitude for our Savior, and for all He did to help and save us, that I couldn’t contain myself. Now, my husband is gone – and my seventeen-year-old son doesn’t quite appreciate the hugs the way my husband did!

But I am finding the return of that joy. I put in a Tabernacle Choir CD and listened to the English Carol “Rejoice and Be Merry”, and it’s exuberant grandeur completely overwhelmed me! Beginning with kettle drums beating out their joyful announcement, the choir joins in with, “Rejoice and be merry in songs and in mirth; O praise our Redeemer, all mortals on earth!”

As we approach this season, even with the pain of loss still in our heart, I have found that there is healing when I focus on the long-term of this existence. Christ was born, and lived, and died for us, so that we can once more be united with Him. I look forward to that time. I can feel great hope in this season, because He showed us how to live, and then he paved the way so that I can be re-united with loved ones after this life.

Through our pain we have had reason to draw even nearer to our Savoir and gain strength from His power to heal. Now, as the world celebrates His birth, we too can find reason to rejoice as we think on the great blessing it is to know Him, and to be His.

May you find that solace this season, and may you also “Rejoice and Be Merry”!

“Rejoice and sing, rejoice and sing,

Proclaiming the birthday of Jesus our King!”

Rejoicing,

Roslyn

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