Read

A Christmas Eve Greeting

Creator:
Published:
February 15, 2024
December 24, 2019
A message from Grotto on Christmas Eve 2019.

Christmas is the most “extra” time of the year, and Christmas Eve is a moment when the expectations and preparations and logistics and reflectiveness all hit a fever-high pitch. The travel and gifts and family and parties — it’s nearly too much.

We share this illustration by Stephanie Roberts today to let you know that we get it. Even if you’re feeling healthy and strong, this is not an easy day. If you are wrestling with grief or loneliness or an addiction or are just plain overwhelmed, it can be nearly unbearable.

Much of the activity of the season is geared around gifts, but let’s not forget why — they are a reflection of a great gift we’ve all been given. God has become one of us, and not in an exalted way.

Mary and Joseph certainly felt lonely and overwhelmed as they welcomed a new child in a very challenging situation. Can you imagine giving birth in a stranger’s barn? And this is how God decided to share our condition.

That says something about the lengths to which God will go in order to reach us.

So know that you’re not alone. Grotto is standing with you — and God is with you, too.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
February 15, 2024
December 24, 2019
On a related note...
This Story Will Change the Way You Remember 9/11

This Story Will Change the Way You Remember 9/11

Grotto Shares

Meet Your Friendly Neighborhood Plant Lady

Meet Your Friendly Neighborhood Plant Lady

Grotto

Designer Makes Clothes with Meaning

Designer Makes Clothes with Meaning

Grotto

A Christmas Hot Take: Chicago Needs Another Walnut Room

A Christmas Hot Take: Chicago Needs Another Walnut Room

Mike Rossetti

Detroit SOUP Builds Community

Detroit SOUP Builds Community

Grotto

Remembering Fr. Capodanno and All Fallen Heroes

Remembering Fr. Capodanno and All Fallen Heroes

Grotto Shares

In the Can, Not the Bay

In the Can, Not the Bay

Grotto

Why I Write Letters of Encouragement to Strangers

Why I Write Letters of Encouragement to Strangers

Manda Carpenter

Keeping Dreamers Dreaming

Keeping Dreamers Dreaming

Grotto

Why I'm Grateful for a Community That Challenges Me

Why I'm Grateful for a Community That Challenges Me

Kelly Sankowski

Fairy Doors and the Call to Connection

Fairy Doors and the Call to Connection

Janelle Peregoy

Finding Home

Finding Home

Grotto

Raising Census Awareness in Undercounted Communities

Raising Census Awareness in Undercounted Communities

Grotto

How to Be an Ally in the Fight for Racial Justice

How to Be an Ally in the Fight for Racial Justice

Kayla August

6 Tips for Enjoying Life in Chicago Safely

6 Tips for Enjoying Life in Chicago Safely

Mike Rossetti

The Bergamot Sings 'Remember this December' | #SeekChristmas

The Bergamot Sings 'Remember this December' | #SeekChristmas

Grotto

Healing Racial Tension with Music and Lyrics

Healing Racial Tension with Music and Lyrics

Grotto

Juneteenth Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Juneteenth Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Your 2022 Chicago Gift Guide

Your 2022 Chicago Gift Guide

Jennon Bell Hoffmann

The Compassion Behind Comedy

The Compassion Behind Comedy

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.