Every Christmas there will be wins and losses, joys and sorrows, goods and bads to consider. That said, what's important is to focus on the joy and promise the holiday represents--the joy of birth and the promise of the potential possible.
As I think about this, I am thinking about how to pay homage to the sadness and losses of the year past while bringing forth the joy that makes the holidays special.
Joy
As a child, Christmas was a joyful time for me. Simply remembering and recreating what brought the joy to my own childhood family will help to make the holidays special. That joy includes the element of surprise, togetherness, good food, and good cheer. Welcoming each guest with love starts the celebrations off right and then including a good number of enjoyable, festive activities ensures a happy gathering.
For those who can't make the gathering due to illness or other matters, we'll make time to bring the cheer to them in some way.
Losses and sadness
We lost a few loved ones in 2022. We'll miss their presence, but we'll bring forth their memory via our traditions. I decorated the tree in Mom's house exactly as she would have decorated it--that was bittersweet, but served to keep her memory alive for all that visit her home during the holidays. We'll carry forth many other traditions that honor loved ones lost in special ways.
Most importantly and in countless ways, we'll do what we can to make the holiday a joyful time for all. Onward.