My Grown Up Christmas List

My favourite Christmas song is Amy Grant’s “My Grown Up Christmas Wish”.  She sings about the magic of sitting on Santa’s knee and dreaming of the presents he will bring to her on Christmas Day as a child.  Now as an adult she has a different Christmas List.  I cried when I first heard this song.  It’s about dreaming of a world where there are no more wars.  A world where everyone would have a friend.   Where ‘right’ would always win and love would never end. 

It strikes me right at my core and I always feel better when I hear it.  I know this time of year is difficult for many people because it can be so triggering re: losses in your life, cultural differences, hard memories and distance from family and friends.  As you celebrate Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas or time with family…….I hope it is a time of peace.  I think that is what Amy Grant is really singing about.  And when I say peace, I don’t mean the sappy, unrealistic peace that is unattainable in our busy, conflicted culture.  I like the quote I heard once that says, “Peace is not to be in a place where there is no pain, trouble or hard work.  Peace is to be amidst that hardship and still feel calm in your heart.” (author unknown) 

It is in that vein that I wish you peace during this season.