PRESENCE OF CHRIST

     Before Advent began, I prayed that I would be able to recognize the presence of Christ in others this year as well as being Christ's presence to others. Little did I know the way in which this would happen.
     On the first Sunday of Advent, my 57 year old brother-in-law, Ed, died of pneumonia after battling Leukemia for the past six months.  Needless to say this was devastating to my sister and the rest of my family members.  As soon as I got home, I went to my sister, Jackie, to be with her.  As she cried and talked about all that had been going on in the past week, I listened and tried to find the right words to say and to be strong to help her at this time.
      During the calling hours and the funeral I was amazed and grateful for all the ways Christ was present there.  First of all there were the sisters, staff, and maintenance people from Villa Maria, PA where Ed had worked for 20+ years.  Their presence and the stories they shared with us about Ed's teasing, hard work, humor, and what a good man he had been was wonderful to hear.
     Secondly, there were the neighbors, some who have known Ed since he was a boy and those who said they would miss seeing him on the tractor in the summer.  They also shared stories and offered their condolences to Jackie and her adult children.
     Next, was the pastor from Neshannock Presbyterian Church, who was constantly with Jackie and with Ed's mother at the hospital.  He gave a beautiful talk about Ed's life using all the information he gathered from Ed's mother, Jackie, and even from what Ed himself had told him before he became very sick. He showed me the Presence of Christ in his gentleness and compassion.
     Then, I saw the Presence of Christ in a little child.  My 10-year-old nephew, Brayden, was so attuned to what was happening.  Every time he saw a family member tearing up or cry, he would go to that person and put his arms around their waste.  I could not help but be comforted by his hug.
     Finally, the presence of Christ in my community of sisters who have been praying and listening, have helped me to be strong, yet be able to grieve.
     Christmas will be low-keyed for my family this year.  I know that the presence of Christ has been with me and will continue to be present to me and my family as we continue through this season and beyond.