I think we can all agree that 2016 was a rough year. Personally, nationally, and internationally things did not go as planned and the world is hurting. "What They Did Yesterday Afternoon" by Warsan Shire is the perfect poem to describe the current times. Below is an excerpt:

I held an atlas in my lap

ran my fingers across the whole world

and whispered

where does it hurt?

It answered

everywhere

everywhere

everywhere

However, we have a spark of hope that is coming just at the end of this month. Christmas. No matter what religion you are, we can all gather hope from the story of a little boy who was a beacon of light in a dark time. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5). Jesus is a figure of encouragement and love. He was sent by the Father above to save the world and remind others to treat each other as they would like to be treated. He befriended and comforted those who were out casted by society. There was not one person he overlooked and he was kind. What a concept! The darkness that our world is enduring may have a presence, but it is not as powerful as the light that the Christmas season creates.

Christmas is a time where people reconnect and think of others more than themselves. Charitable donations majorly increase between the months of October and December and shoppers are out in a frenzy to get the perfect gifts for the ones they love. This sense of giving and caring for others is one of the many things our world needs—especially after the craziness that was 2016. Twitter literally had to create regulations to help curb cyber bullying and abuse because people were being so mean to each other after the Presidential election. Facebook feeds have been a battleground. Protests are tearing people apart. Shootings are part of our everyday lives and people are legitimately scared. Where are you Christmas?

The Christmas season additionally reminds us to spread joy instead of hate and to focus on the things that really matter. It also is a time to refresh from the day to day stresses and reconnect with family or loved ones. Nothing is better than drinking some hot cocoa next to the fire and hearing your family laugh and carry on.

Take this Christmas season as a time to re-evaluate, refresh, rest, and reflect on the good. Spread the joy and the good news of hope. Be that light that the world needs. We need Christmas more than ever.

May you all have a blessed Christmas season.