Daily Devotional for December 14, 2022
A New Tradition
Clunk, clunk, clunk! Olivia slammed her fists on the piano keys, tears stinging her eyes.
Dad put down the evergreen wreath he had been about to hang and hurried to Olivia’s side. “What’s wrong, Liv? Your piano playing was so beautiful. You know that ‘Deck the Halls’ is my favorite Christmas carol.” He cleared his throat, preparing to sing, but Olivia stopped him.
“No, Dad. I don’t want to play this year. Christmas is all wrong.”
Dad’s expression turned sad. “You’re right. Without your mom, Christmas is not the same.”
Olivia wiped away a tear and pointed toward the kitchen. “Mom always made homemade snickerdoodles this time of year. It’s tradition that we bring snickerdoodles to the nursing home and give them to the residents. Nothing feels right this year without Mom.”
Dad nodded slowly. “I wish I could have made snickerdoodles, but I couldn’t find your mom’s recipe. I know it was one of your favorite traditions.” His voice cracked slightly. “I’m sorry, Liv.”
Olivia looked at her dad and for the first time realized how difficult this Christmas must be for him too. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer for both of them. Jesus, I know You understand what we’re going through because you experienced sadness too when you came and died to save us, she prayed. Please help us through this. When she opened her eyes, her gaze fell on the piano music in front of her. Suddenly, she had an idea. “Dad, what if this year we start a new tradition?”
“What do you have in mind?”
Olivia placed her hands on the piano keys and played the opening chords of “Deck the Halls.” Instinctively, her dad started singing along. “Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.”
Olivia stopped playing. “See? Neither of us can cook like Mom, but I can play the piano and you can sing. The nursing home has a piano. What if we go there tonight and sing Christmas carols with the residents? I bet it would make their Christmas really special.”
Dad’s grin said it all. “That’s a great idea, Liv. This will be a wonderful new tradition.”
Olivia smiled. “A tradition that would make Mom happy.”
-Amanda Spino
How about you?
Have you ever felt so sad that you wondered if you would ever be happy again? The Bible promises that at these times, Jesus is very close to you. He knows what sadness feels like, and He wants to mourn with you, comfort you, and help you feel the peace and joy that come from knowing Him. Next time you feel sad, go to Him so He can turn your mourning into dancing.
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