Christmas looks different this year.
With the surge of Omicron in just the last two weeks, Christmas plans have been caught in the crossfire for so many of my friends and loved ones.
Cancelled trips, postponements of Christmas get-togethers. Somehow, it seems like overnight, we woke up in March 2020 again.
New York has broken the all time Covid record for most number of daily cases five times this week, gaining around 24,000 new cases every day.
And even though it manifests as a cold for most people, that is still a concerning number, given that the vaccine that was supposed to protect us…really hasn’t.
In just my circle alone, I can count on more than two hands the number of my friends who have had to cancel Christmas due to Omicron.
Thankfully, after four negative Covid tests, and isolating myself for the last 12 days, I have managed to escape New York to return home to Ohio for Christmas, and am looking forward to being together with my family this Christmas weekend.
But sadly, that is not the case for everyone.
So this Christmas, as many people are facing a holiday either in quarantine, or unable to get together with loved ones due to omicron, I wanted to just reflect on something that has given me comfort over the years, as a young woman, living alone in a 500 square foot studio apartment.
And it actually is the beautiful love behind Christmas, that can so often get forgotten in the hustle bustle: Jesus, coming to earth because He loves us, and wants to be with us.
We are never alone.
When we gaze upon the manger, and see little baby Jesus lying in the trough on Saturday, that is a picture of a God who is so fiercely in love with you and I that He would give up everything and come to earth as human.
That is the most beautiful love story ever. And in the quiet hours of Christmas, I pray that you and I, and anyone who stumbles upon this little blog post can feel, in a personal and tangible way, that Love poured out on this Silent Night.
I have so much to be grateful for this Christmas, and the friendships I’ve made on this blog are one of my most meaningful blessings. Truly, you have a special place in my heart. And I wish you the most blessed, Merry Christmas, even if Christmas looks a little different than normal this year.
Sending all my love to wherever this finds you. Thank you for being a great friend, and joining me on this beautiful journey, one day at a time.
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
***THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ORDERED MY BOOKS, BLOOM: A JOURNAL BY BEAUTYBEYONDBONES AND “MY BLOGGING TIPS“***Click to order your copy!
MAGIC TOOTHPASTE? Yes! I am in love with this superior whitening toothpaste. It keeps my smile sparkling, without sensitivity or bleach! I made a website where you can directly order this miracle product! So if you want to give it a try, you can go ahead and grab a tube for yourself. I promise, your smile will thank you!Get a tube!
Be sure to check out my affiliate, Audible. Listening to audiobooks while I cook is literally my new favorite thing. And just for you, they’re offering a Free 30-Day Trial Membership. And with this free membership, you’re going to get 2 free audiobooks! Literally. Free. It is the best deal ever. And if for some reason, you decide it’s not for you, you can cancel within those 30 days and it’s zero money out of your pocket, plus, you get to keep the 2 audiobooks. Soooo…it’s pretty much a no brainer. Plus, it’s a free and easy way to support this blog! So thank you!!
STAY CONNECTED!
@beauty.beyond.bones – Instagram
For Podcast versions of my posts, please check out Patreon! It’s only $2 a month!! You make this blog possible 🙂
And really quickly, I’ve had several questions concerning my Amazon link (amazon.com/shop/beautybeyondbones) — You do not need to buy one of my specific highlighted products on my page, in order for it to “credit” my account. Any purchases that you search or make from anywhere on Amazon, after first visiting my Amazon page, will credit this blog and help support this blog ministry. I am truly so grateful and appreciative to those of you wanting to do so! So thank you! Again, it is an absolutely free, and easy way for you to help keep this blog going!
32 responses to “HO HO HOmicron”
Our God will Protect us a beautiful post thank you so much you so beautiful
Merry Christmas to you as well, Caralyn. I’m glad you got to go home to Ohio, despite the concerns over Omicron. God’s best to you and your family and your special gentleman. 🙏❤️
Thank you for these very positive words, Caralyn, our world needs this so much. Your family’s home is beautiful as is the Christmas tree. Please, be safe and careful. Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas! 🙏🏻❤️
Carolyn, this was so comforting for me to read this Christmas. So grateful we get to share you as a “friend” for all of us who so enjoy your writing online. Merry Christmas to your family!
Thanks, Carolyn! Hoping you have a wonder Christmas with your family! My youngest daughter-in-law tested positive this morning, so that scrambles all their plans for Christmas this year. But she’s young (compared to me!) and healthy, and her symptoms so far have been mild. Praying you and your family has a wonder and blessed Christmas.
Have a wonderful Christmas, Caralyn. And a very Merry Christmas to your family.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Enjoy the time with your family! ❤️
I’m glad that you were able to make it home. We’ve had a few cases here in the Sacramento area, but I have chosen to not worry. Of course I am home almost all of the time anyway, so it’s not that big of an issue for me. Stay safe and healthy.
I am hearing they are running low on tests again. Just in time for the surge. Luckily it sounds like very few are getting this in a life threatening way.
Enjoy celebrating the reason for the season 🙂
Have a lovely Christmas! I do think the vaccine is protecting us, which is why we are seeing colds instead of hospitalizations. Take care and be safe!
Beautiful testimony of complete whole healing of the sickness you suffered. Jesus is always at the door of our heart knocking to enter. Blessing to you.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas!!!
Praying you have a blessed Christmas with family. I love reading posts that points us to the hope that God offers to all of us. Myrockmyfortress.com
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Have a blessed Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family❤🎄
I think you meant to say that the vaccine has protected us–a “cold for most people” is much better than the hospitalizations for those who are unvaccinated.
Omicron – has anyone noticed they keep trying to scare us with how many cases there are but not deaths? I’ve read of only one death from Omicron. One. More people die per day from cancer and hear disease than COVID. Careful? Yes? Just like with the flu. Scared out of our wits? No!
Hopefully, with a few facts at our disposal and the reason for the season at hand we can all relax and have a very Merry Christmas indeed!
Jeffrey, Thanks SO much for pointing that out!! 2 of my relatives have had Omicron. A harsh cold!! 79 yr Mama, full recovery. Merry Christmas!
Merry Xmas to you, too!
What a beautiful post! Merry Christmas Caralyn and I’m glad you are enjoying your family! 🧸🎄🥰🌨☔
Wishing you and your family and wonderful and blessed Christmas!! So happy you’re able to spend time with your loved ones this holiday season. I truly appreciate this post, as I won’t be seeing my family this year due to some positive covid tests. The 20 miles feels impossibly far today, but there is still so much to be grateful for. ❤️
First, I’m going to give you the bad, then the good. so we can end on a high note. Don’t say vaccines aren’t really protecting us. They are, but no one ever promised they would be bullet proof. For vaccines to eliminate COVID, enough people need to get it for us to reach herd immunity. As long as so many people are refusing to get vaccinated, that can’t happen, which means the virus keeps circulating and new variants keep appearing. For now, the data is showing that the boosters are effective against the Omicron variant. That doesn’t mean you don’t need to continue precautions like masks and distancing. It means you are much less likely to get it. Even if you get it, you are much less likely to be hospitalized. Even if you are hospitalized, you are much less likely to die, as even my conservative Senator Lindsey Graham testified. There are some risks with the vaccine, but they are miniscule compared to not being vaccinated.
Now that that’s out of the way, I’m happy for you being able to join your family for Christmas. I was able to do the same, and it is so nice after last year. Again, that is because we are all vaccinated, and everyone eligible for the booster has got it. Your Christmas reflections brightened my day. I wish you and your family a merry and safe Christmas.
“Escape from New York” sounds like a good name for a movie. Oops, never mind; that was done in the 1980s, but the theme sounds eerily similar: Manhattan Island is a maximum security prison… the whole island! Maybe it was a prophecy film? 😂
Glad you are with family and our prayers are with both you and Steven for a great Christmas and Happy New Year.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
Merry Christmas to you, your family and your Special Gentleman Steven! You are a very dear person and I admire all that you do to inspire others! By sharing your own personal story you have helped, and are helping, those who are going through the challenges that you have so that they, too, can overcome their own problems and find happiness and strength in the deliverance of the torment of eating disorders. God loves you!
Although we are celebrating the birth of Christ, I believe that you will appreciate seeing this movie about the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness when he was tempted of the devil. It has certainly given me more understanding.
The movie starts out slow, and a bit mundane, but do not give up on it. You will find that it is very powerful and is more revealing of the challenges that Jesus went through, in His trial with Satan, than you have ever seen portrayed before. As the movie progresses you will have more understanding of how devious and cruel the devil was in his attempts to mentally torture and tempt Jesus. You will, also, have more understanding of Jesus, and His love for God and mankind, than you do now. If you watch the movie to the end, you will be glad that you were patient enough to do so, since it will fill your soul with satisfaction!
“Forty Nights”:
Hi Caralyn, You can find the video “Forty Nights” on YouTube, just type in Forty Nights (2016) | Full Movie | DJ Perry | Rance Howard | Taymour Ghazi. I tried to post the link in my comment but it would not go through.
Merry Christmas, Caralyn! Enjoy your dear family.
Our Savior reigns!! Thanks Caralyn for pointing us back to Christ!! Cute little girl! Is that your house?? Gorgeous!!
“We are never alone”
The best message of Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you and your loves.
Carole
Thanks for reminding us of the reason for Christmas and how it can’t be “canceled”. Love your blog. Merry Christmas!
I agree this virus just seems to be getting worse and worse. Even though I’m thankful to be with my husband I’m still angry that my grandpa told me to either get the vaccine or leave. I don’t think the shots work and I feel like the CDC is lying to us.