This is an opinion piece.

I’ve written a few Christmas columns in the past.

I’ve done those columns where you give certain gifts to sports personalities, local and otherwise. Some columnists do those well and make us laugh. I don’t think I’m gifted with that ability. This year, I will spare you.

I’ve looked back at key moments from the previous year in high school sports. That’s more of a New Year’s column. I think I’ll save that for next week.

So, I’ve been kind of at a loss at what exactly I should write in this space, in this week, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas in the coming days.

As I think about 2024 – one that honestly has been lined with a good deal of heartache for my sweet family and I – two words in two separate phrases come to mind.

They may seem odd to you given the circumstances.

But I’m just going to blurt them out, one phrase at a time, and then try to explain.

First: Thank you.

Sincerely.

As I sit here writing this – a 56-year-old man, nearly 57 – with tears running down my face, I’m just so incredibly humbled by the outreach of love, support and prayers so many of you have provided for my family and I especially in the latter part of 2024.

You will never know how much it has meant and continues to mean to us. Sometimes, it has been hard for us to respond, hard to even talk or respond to a text message, but we have felt every bit of it. We have felt your arms around us. We have felt covered in prayer.

We’ve had an army of supporters and prayer warriors.

And we have needed them.

God bless you all.

Second: Praise God.

In the good times. In the tough times. And everywhere in between.

It’s hard for us to understand loss. I wish we could peek over that wall sometimes and see God’s ultimate plan.

That’s not our job.

As difficult a journey as 2024 has been, it makes me wonder how people who don’t know Jesus cope through struggles and loss. It pains me to think about.

Our road has not been perfect. Our responses hard at times.

We have questioned God on occasion during our granddaughter’s death and my father’s sickness. But we’ve never doubted Him.

We’ve always known He was there.

He still is.

Through it all, we have tried to praise Him.

I think these lyrics by Elevation Worship say it best:

“I’ll praise in the valley

Praise on the Mountain

I’ll praise when I’m sure

Praise when I’m doubting

I’ll praise when I’m outnumbered

Praise when I’m surrounded

Cause praise is the water

My enemies drown in.”

Will we shed some tears over the next week?

Guaranteed.

But even in our sorrow we will also continue to rely on Him and, yes, we will continue to praise Him, knowing brighter days are ahead.

As sure as we look to the cross this week, we also know there is an empty tomb. My prayer this Christmas is that you do, too.

We will see our loved ones again one day.

Our earthly sadness will not stop us, should not stop us, from celebrating King Jesus today, tomorrow and, especially, on Christmas.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6.

Ben Thomas is the high school sports managing producer at AL.com. He has been named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow him on twitter at @BenThomasPreps or email him at [email protected].