Last year, my Christmas Eve post included the following comment. It seems appropriate to offer a reprise today.
Nine Christmases ago, while the world was singing blithely of joyous birth, we were mourning the death of our first grandchild, whose last breath came but two days after his first. The haunting Coventry Carol spoke to me then as none other. This reminder that the First Christmas was not a facile Peace on Earth and Joy to the World, and that the first Christian martyrs were Jewish children, is for all who mourn this Christmas, especially those who have suffered the loss of a child.
This has always been one of my favorite carols -- I love the sadness of it (is that strange?). So sorry that this time of year has such a sad memory for you, although I know that there are many happy memories now also. I just can't imagine the pain of losing a child or a grandchild and I pray that it is something I won't have to experience. I have lost students (which was hard enough), but I can't imagine it being my own child.
Thank you for sharing the message and reminding us of what life was really like for the early Christians.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season.
Beautiful. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Nancye and Eric. Merry Christmas to you both!
