This is a re-post from 2012 when my mother-in-law was suffering with cancer and under Hospice at Christmastime. I know so many people who are dealing with difficult things right now, and thought it was appropriate to post this again. You can also listen to the podcast of this post here that has more detail and encouragement.

The hissing of the oxygen concentrator is steady, and lulls my mother-in-law to sleep.  I slip in and pull the sheet over her shoulders and turn off the light.  Then lying down in my bed, the monitor in both our rooms in the “on” position, I hear the machine’s hissing, and also her breathing and frequent cough.  I whisper a prayer for her comfort and a good night’s rest for her.  These are the sounds of Christmas in the parsonage this year. 

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