Except when it isn't. This year, it seems to be full of grief. It has been one week since the shooting in Newtown, and our entire nation is grieving. Myself included. People in the path of Hurricane Sandy are still struggling to recover.
It's hard to be joyful when you know so many families are suffering. And on a personal note, this holiday season marks 10 years since I lost one of my best friends. So much grief. So much pain.
And yet. Hope still lingers. Search the hashtag #26acts on twitter and prepare to be amazed. So many people doing acts of kindness for others. There is good in the world. There is peace. There is joy. Even when we can't see it, it's there.
I've been listening to this song quite a bit this week. If you've never heard it, please take a moment and listen. We still have hope.
"Oh when you're still waiting for the snow to fall
It doesn't really feel like Christmas at all
Still waiting for the snow to fall
It doesn't really feel like Christmas at all
Those Christmas lights
Light up the streets
Down where the sea and city meet
May all your troubles soon be gone
Oh Christmas lights, keep shining on
Those Christmas lights
Light up the streets
Maybe they'll bring her back to me
Then all my troubles will be gone
Oh Christmas lights, keep shining on
Oh Christmas lights
Light up the streets
Light up the fireworks in me
May all your troubles soon be gone
Those Christmas lights keep shining on"
Christmas Lights- by Coldplay
"May all your troubles soon be gone
Oh Christmas lights, keep shining on"