Grace

Christmas is a horridly busy time for me. In 24 hours this year I have 5 Masses in 3 different places, a pageant, and a half hour concert with teenagers. It's a tight year! Last night, I rehearsed with the teens. Teens are the most amazing people because they don't know what might be impossible for them. They just know they have to get it done. They did very hard music and they did it well.

This afternoon, I rehearsed with the wee ones. No shepherds showed up and we were short one wise man. We pressed the angel Gabriel into service as the third wise man with a quick costume change. The multitude of the heavenly host consists of Gabriel and 3 year old twins who adore their costumes and wings. Joseph found it fascinating to turn his head dress backwards so that it covered his face. Mary beamed non-stop through the whole thing, glowing with the innocence of her namesake.

It won't be perfect no matter how much we rehearse and it doesn't have to be perfect. This is my 40th year doing Christmas as a church music director. One thing I have learned is that "it is what it is" and that it will all be just fine. It's more about the people and the process than it is about the product, although if you pay attention to the people and the process then you actually get the best product possible.

It's much the same when it comes to living with chronic illness. We do the best we can, and then we let go. It is more about our relationships with people and about our process of adapting to living with chronic illness than it is about a product.

As I was able to be gentle with the wee ones and their parents, reassuring them that all will be well, I hope this holiday season that you will know that all will be well. My prayer is that you can realize that the people and the process are the most important parts of the holiday and the chronic illness journey.