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Ramblin' Dan
Dan Roloff is the editor of TheHighCalling.org, and his blog, Ramblin’ Dan, has a little bit of everything. At times, a theologian, philosopher, comedian, publisher, sports enthusiast, and businessman, Dan offers a transparent look at the high calling of one man’s work.
subscribe to this blog >When Christmas Went Blank
12.17.07
Like most kids, Christmas was my favorite holiday. The great surprise of presents under the tree provided a sense of eagerness and hope. It was very exciting. Still there was more than presents, a warmth embraced our home which belied the harsh temperatures and cutting wind outside. It was a glorious time.
It remained that way until after my college graduation. Cynicism hadn't crept in. No pseudo-intellectualism or sophistication could make a dent. What happened that changed Christmas forever was the death of my mother. It was November when she passed, and we went forward with life in a rather numb state. My dad was lost but would never admit it to any of his children. He tried to press on, but he was just going through the motions until he died three years later, in November, of lung cancer. I always thought it was a broken heart.
Here we are some thirty-one years later, and the joy of Christmas is not the same for me. But I believe it is for my children. My wife Bobbie and I provide the warmth and the sense of eagerness and hope for our children. They understand we celebrate the birth of our Saviour. They too feel that it's a glorious time.
Privately, it's a time of reflection. I give thanks for the coming of the Christ-child. I give thanks for the parents who gave me life and guided me well. I give thanks for the family God has given and entrusted to my care. My most memorable Christmas happened when Christmas went blank. What's grown out of that has brought me and my family closer to Christ.
HighCallingBlogs is promoting a "Christmas Memories" post among their bloggers.
READER'S COMMENTS
Dan, this is a very tender post. Every since my Dad died 21 years ago, Christmas has always felt different. I miss him every single year. And, each Christmas day, my mom and I have a good cry as we share how much we miss my Dad. There's a yearning in Christmas, kind of like Advent. Thanks for sharing.
The idea of Christmas being blank really struck me. And this helps me appreciate the family I still have with.