Debbie learned from her parents example the importance of choosing to still celebrate Christmas even when a tragedy struck their family during the holiday season.

• Favorite holiday tradition: buying an ornament the different places they went, and getting one for each of her children too (so they could have ornaments when they got married.)
• This tradition eventually evolved into Debbie getting each ornament out and telling the story of each ornament.
• Debbie shares the Christmas season when she was five years old when her oldest brother died in an accident.
• The miracle that even though the entire town shut down and turned Christmas off after it that they were able to celebrate Christmas every year with joy since then.
• Debbie says it was almost like her mom tried to celebrate Christmas more joyfully after that—but it was definitely a choice for her to do that.
• We always remember those who have passed on when the anniversary of their death occurs, but we can choose whether to celebrate it with sadness or with joy (or maybe a bit of both).
• If you are mourning a death right now and even have a small desire to begin to change that to be something positive, it all starts with a small desire. Then ask God to help you begin that process of healing so you can find more joy and less grief in the memory.

This is especially applicable when we talk about losing those we love to death.

• Website: https://www.authordebbieihlerrasmussen.com/
• Listen/Read Debbie’s story—Rediscovering her Self-Worth after Divorce, on my podcast.
• Awesome Christmas presents: The Mystic Trilogy: Mystic Angel, Mystic Lake, and Mystic Mansion.
• For younger gift recipients: Nessumsar Family - Legend of the Crow, Book 2 is Immanence.

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #death #grief #holidaygrief #holidayhope #JesusChrist

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/debbie-ihler-rasmussen-choosing-christmas-joy-amidst-grief