Becoming Virtuous

If I’m honest, I didn’t really feel like celebrating Christmas this year. The last month has been emotionally rough, culminating with our dog dying last week. In light of it all, I just didn’t feel like I had the energy to celebrate, and doing so in the wake of so much pain seemed wrong.

But God brought to mind a passage from a book I’m reading right now, that said that grief and joy can exist in the same heart. Both are legitimate right now, and both are okay. I shouldn’t feel guilt for either.

He also gently reminded me that the true purpose of Christmas is not me anyway. Ultimately, it’s a time to praise Him for sending Christ to save us from our sins.

So in faith, I put up our tree. And God graciously responded by bringing joy. I’m still grieving, but I can also have joy, because this life is not all there is. Because of Christ, there will be a future without pain or tears.

So I do not grieve as one without hope. The best is yet to come.