The definition of “merry” … cheerful and lively. This year? Well, maybe not so much. We’ve been knocked off course. We may feel a little more sullen, gloomy this Christmas. “It’s just not the same.”

True. But many have cited unexpected benefits in the slowing of life that has emerged as today’s challenges hit us all pretty hard.

In my mind we have been drifting for a long time. Away from the values and immutable truths that have guided our lives since the day Jesus was born. Over two thousand years. It’s said God sent the virus as punishment for disobeying His Word. Straying like sheep.

But I choose to see His blessings amidst this storm. As a softening, a slowing of life that breathes fresh awareness in those of us who will embrace it.

The Lord works in strange ways indeed. We live driven, hard fought lives today for the most part. Since March pace has slowed. We’ve lost touch with long standing norms. Confidence has lessened. Feelings have risen to the surface. Anger, frustration, confusion and fear. But too? More appreciation of family. Yearning for more human contact. Seeing things, the blessings around us more vividly, more clearly.

Life has been jostled. The harried, full schedules. The compression of each day reminds me of a smooth, slab of enamel. There’s a beauty about it. But also a hardness about it. It’s certainly not porous. Our days are so full … hard too.

It’s only by cracking the surface of a day, like enamel … we can let light shine through. Challenge has cracked our “enamel” Some of the true light in our lives we’ve been missing for so long? Is now shining through.

God punishing us? I think not. More like His light shining through … His calling us. Reaching out to us in this time of need. While always knowing each of us by name. His love ever present.

Don’t know why this just came to me. But … The song from the rock opera “Tommy” sung by the “Who” lyrically sounds this. “See me … hear me … feel me …touch me … heal me.” … Remember?

Could God be hearing our plea? To see Him … feel Him. Pray to Him, “Heal us Lord.” Is He? Has He been with us always? Amidst the storm? I think so. 

This makes this Christmas more of a merry one for me.