Chances are, you will spend more time with your extended family between Thanksgiving and New Years Day than you have for the previous ten months of the year. It’s a time to reconnect with brothers and sisters, Mom and Dad, Aunts and Uncles…and even that weird cousin that tried to pick you up at last years holiday party. It’s a beautiful time of community, family, and love.
If your family is perfect.
And if you’re not socially awkward like me.
Holidays can also bring near terminal awkwardness. It’s tough to know what to say to that family member going through a divorce. It’s difficult to know how to react when someone else tells you that they have lost their job and have had to put their home on the market. It’s difficult to not feel guilty for your blessings…or envious of others Good fortune if the year has not been nearly as kind to your family. It’s so hard to know how to react…what to say…how to respond.
I read this passage in Roman 12 today:
15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
When people have great news…be happy with them. When they are sad…be sad with them. Don’t think you are too good to hang with your family. Be humble and don’t pretend to have all the answers. Thank you Book of Romans. That should cover any awkward holiday party situation.