Before the senseless act this past Friday that stole twenty precious little angels from grieving families and six heroes trying to protect these beautiful babies, my holiday greeting may have read differently but it is just as heartfelt.
The world is grieving these twenty innocent little children who never had the chance to dream their dreams and make their mark, as well as the six adults whose selfless devotion to these children put them in harm’s way. We grieve because we can only imagine how it would feel to have our world turned inside out, to feel such a crushing loss. Some of you may grieve because you have experienced such a loss.
These unthinkable acts of violence occur far too often, all around the world. We do not visualize them happening in sleepy little communities where everyone feels part of an extended family. No one can fathom laying to rest innocent little babies; it is just beyond comprehension. Lives of families touched by such violence are forever changed, and happening during the Christmas season will forever dampen the joy normally felt at this time.
My wish for everyone this holiday is that we truly remember the reason for this season and have God in our hearts and in our homes. Now more than ever we need hope; we need to feel connected to our family and loved ones; we need to feel needed and loved and have someone in our lives to offer us strength.
If you are missing this in your life, reach out to another for help, and if you are blessed to have great joy in your life at this time, touch someone else’s life, passing on this beautiful gift. There are so many lost and troubled souls in the world right now. Perhaps if we extend a loving hand some of this violence can be averted. We need to start somewhere.
May all who are suffering this holiday season be given the gift of inner peace and let us hold all those close in our hearts who are suffering the devastating loss of a loved one. Fyodor Dostoyevsky said “the darker the night, the brighter the stars,
the deeper the grief, the closer is God.” God must be very close indeed right now.
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Paint Your Landscape 
So well put… i hope hope and healing comes soon…
Me too Boomie.
Another beautiful, heartfelt post for us, from you. Thank you so much for your caring words for the world and reminding your friends to take care and love each other. God bless you, Lu, and I hope you and Terry have a great holiday season.
Thanks Joan. Hope you have a blessed holiday as well.
It does bother me when I hear some reporters say, “Their Christmas is over.” I can’t pretend to know what they’re going through. But, I do know their Christmas is not over. I agree with you. We need to remember what the Christmas season is all about.
Advent is a time of waiting. That is what we should focus on. As everyone else, I get caught up in the hustle bustle of the season. But, waiting for Christ, the child, is what we need to focus on.
Amen. I believe their faith will get them through this devastating time.
A heart-felt holiday wish. This is a wish I hope comes true – or – begins to come true one day at a time – one person at a time.
{Hugs}
That’s what it will take I believe, one person at a time. Happy holidays to you and your family RoSy.
What a hope filled comment. Thank you
Thanks Les. Happy holidays and much love to you and David.
Reblogged this on Spiritual challenges and commented:
Recommend this blog with Love maxima!
Thanks Maxima. 🙂
We are going to be in mourning for a while. Our parents were quite nervous sending their children to our schools today. Love, hope and peace will prevail. I am thankful for my faith.
I am as well. It will get us through this terrible time.
Beautiful words LuAnn. You are so right. It is hard to feel joyful and festive right now. Thank you for writing this wise post.
My pleasure Nicole.
Amen to that, beautifully said. There is only one reason for this season and that is the birth of Christ and we are celebrating. My heart goes out to the family of the victims and the whole town itself. Great post.
Thanks so much and a very blessed holiday to the two of you.
Beautiful and meaningful words LuAnn…
You have a talent for writing.
Thanks so much Sheila.
Thank you for this lovely Christmas message. Les and I are very cozy here in Beavercreek, OH and looking forward to visits from our far flung children., and Jesus is always close by.
Merry Christmas!
Dianne
Dianne, thank you for your wonderful comment. Terry and I wish you and your family a most blessed Christmas.
My dear friend my today post is dedicated to you!
Thank you so much Stefan. You have such a generous spirit. 🙂
A beautifully written post and I agree with your wishes. Let us spread love and hope to all. Wishing you a merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you as well Ute. 🙂
What a beautifully written post. Thank you. Happy Holidays.
Thanks Lisa.
The other followers said it well LuAnn. Beautifully expressed! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, prayers, and wishes with others in such an uplifting and positive way my very special dear friend, Penny xox
Thanks Penny 🙂
most welcome! 🙂
Brought me to tears …, it really sad.
Love,
mei
Happy holidays to you. 🙂
LuAnn…your writing is just beautiful and the words couldn’t ring more true. God Bless you,
Laurie
Thank you Laurie. I hope you have a blessed Christmas.
“20 precious little angels” – well said.
A lovely post. Blessings.
Thank you and blessings to you.
Merry Christmas Lu and Terry! Enjoy the season and may you travels in 2013 be blessed. 🙂
Same to the two of you. Enjoy No. Cal. 🙂
Beautifully written! I hope you are having a great time during this festive season. Merry Christmas to you! 🙂
Thanks Arindam. 🙂
Thank you Lu for such comforting words and a reminder to us all of who we celebrate at this time of year. These things certainly make us realize all we have with our families and friends. Here’s wishing you and Terry the best Holiday and New Year. Looking forward to seeing you soon., Love you!
Thanks Marcia. We hope you, Carl, and your your family have a very blessed Christmas. We look forward to seeing you both in February. Love you too!
You are right of course.
But I find it very very hard to be hopeful at times like this LuAnn. We returned from two very poor, underdeveloped countries full of gentle happy, people, to news of this, and a horrific gangrape on a public bus in our capital that has shaken our society out of its apathy. Could this be the price of ‘progress’?
I have to admit to not always being the eternal optimist and sometimes wondering if conditions in the world are going to improve and these senseless acts of violence are ever going to stop. I do believe we pay a valuable price for ‘progress’ and believe that the universe has been trying to send us all messages for a long, long time and many of us are too self-involved to listen. Sorry, have I totally depressed you now?
No, I am sorry to have messed up the optimistic mood of your post 😦
Not a problem. It is our reality unfortunately. 😦