Holding Space for Both- Hope in Chaos

As Christmas draws near, Christmas trees are up, presents wrapped, celebrations planned...
Then, the flood hits, omicron spikes, death toll rises. 

I wonder, 
Should we still go ahead with our celebration in the midst of calamity? 
What kind of person are we to continue popping champagnes and confetti, when just down the road 27 bodies were found amidst the flood? 
Some say, the church should cancel Christmas services, and go down to the street to help the affected families instead; 
Some say, is it still appropriate to plan for a big celebratory type of Christmas service amidst all of these; 
Some say, that could have been us, the flooded cars, the flooded houses, the destroyed homes... that could have been us.

I ask myself,
Should we carry on with our celebration in the midst of calamity?
Or essentially, what are we celebrating?

Christmas is a time of hope, that Christ the hope is born into a world of chaos,
Christ the light shone a path in the midst of darkness.
It is in darkness that all the more we need hope
For the world does not need hope if all is well, and all is calm
So Hope shines its fullest in the midst of hopelessness and helplessness.

Then, should we grieve with those who are grieving? 
Yes, of course. 
Not just grief, but be the representative of the incarnated hope in the streets, shelters, and houses. 
Mourn with those who are mourning,
Hold space for them, 
but at the same time, all the more we Should continue to celebrate,
for this devastation is not a full-stop, but a comma, 
where we can continue soldiering on, because of the dawn of hope into our calamity.

HOPE Is Here! 
It has a name, 
and its name is Jesus Christ. 

As Ambassadors of this Hope,
Let us be the hands and feet that bring Hope into our neighborhood, into the shelters, the homes,
Let us be the shelter for the broken hearted, the devastated, and those in desperate need of Hope! 
Let us hold space for both grief and celebration as we approach this Chaotic Christmas
A Chaotic Christmas- just like the one Joseph and Mary had in the stable when Hope is first born into the earth.

This Christmas, 
let us grief, and yet celebrate, for Hope has found its Home in the midst of this chaos!