::redeeming christmas::

Communion Christmas morning
Bread in the manger and cup on the cross

Redemption is a word that we, as Christians, usually associate with Easter not Christmas. But the truth is that Christ came as a baby to redeem us. His birth began the redemption process and it was culminated in His death at Easter. One does not usually think of Christmas as a holiday in need of redemption. But for many of our staff and residents, it does because news flash: not everyone has good Christmas memories.

You're probably like "Well, duh. This world is broken and full of sin. Christmas isn't brimming over with magic and snow globes for everyone." Perhaps not all of your Christmas memories are positive ones. I registered this fact for the first time when I was 13 or 14. I didn't realize that people had Christmases they didn't want to remember. That last Christmas was a sad and lonely time for them as they sat in their homes with only a pizza box for company. That last Christmas was filled with dysfunctional family interactions and pain, tears, and anger were the undercurrents of the holiday. I remember sitting across the table from a male resident at Christmas dinner while he told me he didn't have anyone with him last Christmas. He was alone in his apartment and didn't celebrate because it was too depressing. I knew cognitively that not everyone got to celebrate like me and my family but the reality had never sunk in. It did then and it continues to do so as I am home at His Mansion for the holidays.

Christmas Eve dinner

Here at His Mansion, many of our residents say that this is the best Christmas they've ever had. They begin to redeem many of the emotions and assumptions they have about Christmas. They have their first Christmas where they are truly happy and surrounded by people who care about them. Some of our staff even say that their best Christmas memories are ones they've made here on the hill. Residents share that this is the first Christmas where they celebrated Advent and had Christ emphasized as the reason for Christmas. They receive gifts, kind notes, handmade hats, dart guns, and gift cards instead of drugs, alcohol, abuse, or bitter loneliness. They act out the nativity play and make the age-old story come alive once again in our 17th century barn. They sing happy birthday to Jesus as we light the Advent candles. They exchange Secret Saint gifts and watch joy and excitement chase each other across one another's faces. Christmas comes alive in a new way for me each year as I watch new residents and staff experience a Mansion Christmas. Though the traditions remain, it's never the same because I have the privilege of walking alongside new people as they experience, often for the first time, the light, joy, love, and hope of Christmas.

Shining star on the dining hall

We as staff, particularly long term staff, who have been here for multiple years, have the privilege and honor of helping people to redeem Christmas. It is now a joyous occasion. It is now a good thing in life. It is a holiday that has positive connotations. It is filled with excitement, laughter, and creativity instead of dread, hurt, and sorrow. What makes this the best Christmas of people's lives? They all say because they are surrounded by people who they love and who they know love them. Pure and simple. This community is family. And the best way to celebrate anything is with your family. There isn't any magic about how we celebrate Christmas or that our traditions are better or worse than other people's. It's simply that we choose festivities meaningfully and we do them together. Christmas isn't perfect and it's not all sparkling lights and sugar cookies. It's about the coming of Jesus who has redeemed every one of us. The hope and light that He has brought is the reason why we can celebrate and redeem the holiday of Christmas.