Merry Christmas

and Joy to the World

I’ve been fretting. My friends in prison have been lying low, because Christmas is a volatile time on the inside. It opens a wound that pressurizes and bad things happen. I’d been hoping to spread some holiday cheer with them, to make a very bleak circumstance brighter, but I just didn’t have the bandwidth to coordinate the way I’d hoped. There are other loved ones I fumbled this season too. I was afraid they’d feel neglected and abandoned, as this season tends to shine a light straight through the tattered parts of our relationships.

But today marks a miracle. For Christendom, it marks the end of abandonment for all of eternity.

Whatever this day does or does not mean to us—because of our diverse faiths, our family histories,or the thousands of potential personal reasons, I hope you’ll accept my good will. None of us are truly alone, nor will we ever be. If your day is filled with family and mirth, blessings to you and yours. If your day is one of loud absences, try to hold fast. You are dear and loved, regardless of whether your phone rings or there’s a knock at your door. You are in my lit candles, spells, prayers and remembrances for the broken hearted. May laughter and warmth be sustained or find its way to you.

LVX,

Alejandra