30 Comments

as someone who nearly lost her life during a “dark night of the soul” time, I urge anyone who is reading this and is in despair to not give up. there is always LIGHT and a promising future ready and available to meet you when you emerge from the darkness. I am a living testimonial. never, ever give up. I agree that we are NEVER alone, and it is that realization that ultimately saved me.

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Thank you. This message is needed for so many. May those who are in a dark place know there are many who hold them in our hearts.

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^^What you said, Teresa JV.

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I can't, with words, express how deeply I appreciated this message, today, this day, this month, this year(s), that have held me hostage, as well as others here, to express the gratitude for taking the time to tell us all "we are enough" but silently struggle through the battles just to be told not to be bah-hum-bug and smile today, this day, as if......thank you.

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I deeply feel this, I lost both of my parents on the same day in this month, five years apart. Add to this, trying to make peace with them and my past and it overwhelms at times, and I know that I'm not alone, or unique in this.

I rest my hopes on the one thing I would truly like to see in my lifetime (as a Christmas 'gift'): just one day of world peace, no fighting, no poking at others but a time where we remember that we are one world, and that world is the most precious thing we have.

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I needed to read this today. Thank you

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Me too!

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I believe I am one of the most fortunate of people - even though my husband of 57 years died at the end of October, I have been surrounded by love and comfort from my daughters and their families, both immediate and extended, and my friends and colleagues at work. My heart aches for those who don’t know the support I enjoy. I wish them all peace in this Christmas /Hanukkah/Kwanza season.

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The most powerful words in this extraordinary piece: I see you.

Thank you John for this beautiful message and I hope to be able to find the joy again, some day. I hope that your Christmas is merry and bright and good luck to us all in 2025!

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Yes. The whole season has been marred by recent loss for me. I'm so pleased John took the time to address pain and loss.

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Thank you for serving this vast church of the wounded , the lost, the sad, the hopeless and hopeful, and all those trying to make sense of this world, trying to come to peace with decisions made by others that impact us individually and together. Your voice helps to bring clarity and sometimes peace to the day to da day. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

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I needed the reminder. Thank you.

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Thank you very very much!!!

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Thank you!!

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Thank you John. ❤️ I really needed to hear these things. I am hurting in my heart this year and spending it away from my larger family for the first time in recent memory. Here's to better days in the future.

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Thank you, John, for this beautiful message to all of us: Empathy & compassion are truly the most special gifts

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Thank you John. I sorely needed this today. For many reasons, but most accrued over the last 15 months that I have little control over. Wishing you a peace filled day and thanks again, as always, for your wonderful, heartfelt words. ♥️

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Thank you for your writing, your words, your belief and hope.

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I need to preach this evening, even with a heavy heart. Even though I don't see it right now, I need to preach the Good News. I must smile, shake hands, and wish them a Merry Christmas, even though I'm not very merry. It's my life as a priest who’s buried under the grief of so many, who is a person of faith where my faith struggles, who fights against the specter of depression that descends like a cloud. Still, I need to preach even though my heart is heavy.,

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Blessings on you as you struggle to carry this burden

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