By now, many of us have decked the halls, trimmed the tree, and wrapped a few presents.  In the process of decorating your tree, you may have dropped an ornament.  If you did, you discovered that there was nothing on the inside.  No secret prize.  No candy.  No surprise inside.  Just empty.  Christmas ornaments look good on the outside, but are hollow on the inside. They are nice to look at but serve no real purpose. 

​So many Christians live ornamental lives.  We are full of glitter, shine and sparkle on the outside.  We look nice, dress well, smell good, and have bright smiles.  However, we are fragile and hollow.  Don't be like the ornaments on Christmas trees.  Have the ornaments of Proverbs 1:8-9.  My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck (NKJV).

Have a heart willing to embrace godly teaching.  Be an imitator of God and you will cultivate the inner person.  God made us on purpose for His purpose.  He created us to fill us with His Spirit.  We can be wise in the things of God.  We can have the knowledge to succeed.  We have the power of God working in us to do great things for God.  We have the ideas and creativity that will help transform our schools, work places, communities, and this city for Jesus.  We just need to access what God has given us.  Don’t just hang around the church like an ornament on a tree.  Be purposeful and intentional and God will make you an ornament of grace who is filled with His power!

Following the death of a loved one, there are many firsts. One of the most difficult firsts can be the holidays. The following are some thoughts on how to help your family cope through the holiday season from GriefWorks (visit www.grief-works.org).
 
Caring For Grieving Children

1. Prepare children for changes in routine. It is perfectly acceptable to make changes in holiday routines, perhaps even preferable, but remember to prepare children well in advance for changes to holiday traditions.
   
2. Include children and teens in planning. A family meeting to decide what changes will be appropriate for celebrating the holidays can alleviate a child’s feeling of being left out.
   
3. If a child appears to need extra reassurance during the holidays, remember they may have feelings of sadness, guilt, etc. that they are struggling with.
   
4. Children may “regress” (find comfort in earlier behaviors) during the stress of the holidays.
   
5. Children need opportunities to express their feelings and fears. Plan a ritual for remembering your loved one around the holiday season.
   
6. Plan some extra time to spend one to one with your children during the holidays.
   
7. Don’t let the world dictate your schedule.
   

Caring For Yourself

1. You are the best one to know what you need for caring for yourself. Be kinder to yourself than you have ever been during the holiday season.
2. There is no right or wrong way to grieve OR to spend the holidays. Choose activities or solitude based on your needs.
3. Watch out for over commitment during the holidays. Say “no.”
4. Treat yourself.
5. Give yourself credit for accomplishing the “firsts” as they come along.
6. Be with people you want to spend time with. Say “no” to those you feel would need more energy than you
   have to give.

Last week we introduced some ways to cope with the loss of a loved one during the holiday season.  This week we continue with some thoughts on how to help your family cope
through the holiday season from GriefWorks (visit http://www.christian-works.org/works/grief-works/).

Remember Your Loved One

1. Buy a gift for your loved one. Give it to someone who needs it. You will receive twice the pleasure. (This may be too difficult for someone whose loss is recent.)
2. Donate money to a special cause in your loved one’s name or volunteer your time and/or talents.
3. Contribute a poinsettia to your church, a local nursing home or school in your loved one’s name.
4. Talk about the deceased with those you are comfortable sharing.
5. Plan a time for remembering. Set a place for them at the table, hang a stocking, retell stories of them.

Anniversary Dates

1. An anniversary of the death of a loved one can cause anxiety and stress, which are normal grief reactions.
2. Give yourself permission to feel your own feelings about the day and plan how you want to spend your time.