Christmas Contest Entry #9

Each Christmas Eve our family remembers our loved ones who have passed away. Their pictures are placed on the mantel, surrounded by evergreen, the symbol of eternal life. Then we all sit and reminisce together, sharing laughter and tears. Someone always share's a letter they've written to the person now in heaven.

I know some people think this is a morbid tradition, but it isn't really. It helps us to feel that the people we miss are still a part of our family celebration. Otherwise we'd be pretending we didn't long for them to be with us, when we really do. This way our sorrow is acknowledged- and it becomes a part of our joy.

When you think about it, what better time than Christmas to affirm our belief that death is not the end? After all, the birth of Christ is what brought us eternal life.

Donna M.