Rambling on about the struggle in seeking the Christmas Spirit Amidst Uncertainty….

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of unbridled joy, warmth, and togetherness. Streets sparkle with lights, holiday tunes drift through every store, and social media is filled with images of laughter and happiness. Yet, for many of us, this picture-perfect cheer can feel out of reach. This year, I find myself struggling to locate the Christmas spirit that usually comes so easily. Even Thanksgiving, a time I typically look forward to, was fraught with unwanted obligation rather than a celebration.

I’ve entered what I call the “This Is Not What We Are Doing” era—a period marked by frustration and a sense of disconnection. I catch myself wondering, “What is wrong with people?” and feeling more like the Grinch than my usual elf-like self. The world around me seems out of focus, weighed down by heaviness and sadness. Instead of the clarity and comfort I usually associate with this time of year, I find myself wandering through a dense fog of uncertainty.

Yet, I know I am not alone. The people I meet, the friends I talk to, and even strangers seem to be carrying their own burdens. Conversations are filled with stories of struggle and resilience, but also with a shared sense of chaos and fatigue. It’s as if we are all navigating a maze, searching for meaning in a season that feels unmoored from its usual sense of joy.

I am struggling to hold space for real emotion, but moving and doing. If you, too, are having a hard time embracing the season, know that your feelings are valid. The pressure to be perpetually merry can sometimes amplify what we are already experiencing, such as loss, uncertainty, exhaustion, or simply the weight of the world’s challenges. It’s okay to acknowledge that things are not as they once were or as we wish they could be right now.

Meaning doesn’t always come from grand gestures or perfect celebrations. Sometimes, it’s found in small acts of kindness—a warm cup of coffee shared with a friend, a quiet walk under winter skies, or a moment of laughter that pierces the gloom. When the spirit of the season feels elusive, focusing on these moments of connection and care can offer a glimmer of hope and comfort.

Perhaps part of the journey is letting go of how things “should” be and accepting how they are. The holidays do not demand perfection from us; they invite us to show up as we are, with all our imperfections, doubts, and dreams. This year, finding meaning may mean simply being gentle with yourself and others, and recognizing that sometimes, survival and quiet resilience are enough.

As we move through the remainder of the season and into a new year, may we carry forward compassion—for ourselves and for those around us. The Christmas spirit, at its core, is about hope, love, and understanding. Even when these qualities feel distant, they can be found, often in the unlikeliest places… They are simple things, unseen at times, such as a shared struggle, a heartfelt conversation, or a simple act of grace. Maybe this season we need to really look, to see and notice those around us. Maybe we need to listen, not just hear, but rather pay attention to the quiet, the noise at times too is a cover.

If this season feels heavy, know that you are not alone on this journey. Together, even in the fog, we can find moments of meaning and light. This season I am trying to just be kind, to listen, to notice.  I have grown quiet a few times. I am grateful that God sends Earth Angels to nudge me, to make me remember that He is in control and I am loved, seen, and heard. Look for your Joy, Your Grace, Your Mercy…  It is there… I know. And… I keep saying to myself… This Too Shall Pass….