How to have a joyous Christmas season even during a Pandemic

Yes, it really is possible to have a wonderful Christmas even in this time of global plague, civil unrest, and the disruption of our normal social activities. We must begin by remembering why we celebrate Christmas. It is not a time when we enshrine overeating, overspending, busyness, or even our traditions. 

There is a special spirit of Christmas. It is the spirit of love. Christmas is that time when we especially remember that our Heavenly Father sent His son to earth to save us.

How can we feel God's love? How can we let His love warm our hearts?

What makes the difference in how people are dealing with the Pandemic?

I have been concerned about all the people who have "lost heart", who are fearful, and discouraged, and I have been wondering why I don't feel that way. There are many people I know who also are not overwhelmed with the pandemic. What makes the difference? 

First, I thought about what is the opposite of fear, that terrible anxious feeling which devovers our courage. I found that the antonyms to fear were such things as love, calmness, assurance, confidence, happiness, and faith. Why are some people not feeling these good positive feelings? Of course you probably think that is frighteningly obvious for we are experiencing a pandemic. Not only are people losing their jobs, and some their businesses, but people around the world are dying. This is true, but I still don't think that explains why so many people are succumbing to fear. 

Good Things I've Experienced During the Pandemic

Yes, I have really seen many good things during this time when we are experiencing a pandemic. For one thing, I've loved all the concern that younger people have shown to us "old folks". Neighbors have offered to get food from the grocery store for us and run errands. People have stepped way back after they knock on our door. Their concern has really touched me. Since the grocery stores have made a special early time for the "seniors" to shop, we haven't needed their help, yet, but it is good to know they are watching out for us, and that the stores are also trying to protect us.

Also, I've seen wealthy executives giving financial support to the many small businesses which are in danger of going under. Homes have not been foreclosed, and families have not been evicted. It seems like a kinder world. In some ways it reminds me of how people are at Christmastime, but without the bustling.

That's another good thing I've seen -- people are not rushing around!

Coping with Loss During the Pandemic

Yesterday, I read an article called "Grieving This Season of Loss"* and watched this video. Though I know that our Heavenly Father and our Savior can give us the strength and comfort we need to make it through these times of fear and restrictions, what I haven't considered is that we are all grieving, even me! 

I've always thought of grieving as what we do when someone we love dies, but grieving includes far more. It is loss. It is the disappointment that my neighborhood high school seniors are feeling when all their celebratory activities have been canceled.  It is the postponed vacations and health care, and all the weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays without family around us. It is the loss of normal social contact and the loss of the freedom to come and go as we please. 

What I'm Doing to Help with the Pandemic

It feels good to know that I'm doing more to help with the covid-19 pandemic besides just staying in my home. Today when I saw this report on some of the things my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is doing to help give supplies to those who need it around the world, it made me feel good.  I realized that I don't have to be one of the people out there on the front lines fighting the pandemic to help. Since I donate to this organization, I am part of all the help that is being given.

Here are some of the things I'm helping with.  People in Utah are making 5 million clinical face masks to donate to health care workers.  Also, many Church facilities which make religious clothing have now shifted to making masks and gowns to give to medical workers. Hygiene supplies, food, medical equipment, and other items have been sent around the world to places where they are needed. 

Is this Pandemic a wake up call?

Right now so many of us are struggling with being restricted to our homes. As a person who feels that the experiences in life are opportunities to learn and grow, I've been wondering what could be learned from this pandemic. 

For a world that felt pretty confident in our abilities to handle anything, it has been humbling to see how quickly the whole world could be brought to its knees by a tiny virus. Many of us have come to realize how much we not only need others to help us, but how much we need a greater power, we need God's power,  to help us survive. 

We have been given an opportunity to take a look at our lives. Are we spending our time, energies, and money on what matters most to us? How does it feel to spend more time with your family? Are you enjoying not rushing around so much, not feeling so pressured? What do you want to change in your life? Answer your wake up call. Take your chance for a new start. 

Help for Living in a Pandemic

Like most everyone, my thoughts have been focused on the current covid-19 pandemic. The Savior has warned us that there would be plagues in the last days, and our leaders have counseled us to store food, water, medicines, sanitation supplies, and to have savings and cash on hand to help us deal with emergency situations. Wouldn't it have been great if we all had done this? People could have calmly remained in their homes instead of panicky rushing to stores to grab and hoard all they could find on the fast emptying shelves.   (for helpful ideas go to  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/church-safety-and-health/pandemic-planning?lang=eng

But more than being prepared with things, I've wondered how to prepare myself to have the strength to deal with not only the physical danger, but the economic repercussions of this pandemic. As I've spent the last two days listening to inspired men and women give their counsel, these thoughts have impressed me: