One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Story is the appearances of angels. They show up in dreams to Joseph, come face-to-face with Mary and fill the skies for the shepherds. As a child and even today, these stories make me eager to see an angel, even if only for a moment. As we look at these three sightings of angels, we see they each had one thing in common.

Has anyone told you that with cancer, you have to find your new normal? This seems to me to be a kind way of saying, “You know that thing you used to do and now you can’t do, or if you are still doing it, you used to do faster, easier or better? Well, you many never do those things like you used to do them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fulfilling life. So, look for your new normal.”

Has anyone told you that with cancer, you have to find your new normal? This seems to me to be a kind way of saying, “You know that thing you used to do and now you can’t do, or if you are still doing it, you used to do faster, easier or better? Well, you many never do those things like you used to do them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fulfilling life. So, look for your new normal.”

In the struggle of cancer, it’s easy to see that prayer is a precious, unending gift from God. Cancer can drive us to seek God out for wisdom, strength and perhaps most often, peace. Nothing can produce awe like the sweetness of God’s peace touching you even through a bad cancer day.

Cancer can bring turmoil and intense emotions for both patients and caregivers. As a matter of fact, due to cancer, people can experience more intense feelings than they ever have before.

A typical attitude when a person is diagnosed with cancer is, “I’m not going to let cancer get in the way of my life.” It might sound like this… “If what I usually do is wake up and make breakfast for my kids and drive them to school, do you know what I’m doing tomorrow? I’m making breakfast for my kids and driving them to school!”

There are lots of weird things about cancer. One weird thing is that on the day of diagnosis, many people don’t feel like they have cancer. Why? Because they don’t really feel sick.

How’s your cancer walk going? Now, that’s a complicated question, and yet you might have plenty of people ready to share their opinion of your progress.

God has wired our bodies to turn our view inward when we’re sick. It’s like our body nudges us and says, “Look here! Pay attention to this!” Could be the nausea of a stomach flu or the aches of a head cold that bring thoughts like, “Ugh, I feel terrible.” “I’m not sure I can do that today.” “Maybe this is something worse. Should I call my doctor?”

You never imagined having a Christmas invaded by cancer, and yet here you are. When you were diagnosed, they told you how long the treatments would last, but maybe you didn’t realize that you’d be dealing with the mess of cancer past Thanksgiving, through Christmas and even into the New Year. I bet you are ready to just be done.

Cancer treatment comes with a plan. The plan typically includes multiple doctors, procedures, medicines and countless waiting rooms. Good cancer news typically sounds like: “Good news! Things are going as planned.” Of course, the plan is to get rid of the cancer, so it is great news to know that the plan is working. You see, if you’re excited about the plan, you’re excited when the plan is working.

Cancer journeys are often more about waiting than doing. Waiting for the next treatment, the next scan, the next test, the next doctor’s appointment and ultimately the next bit of news. When you’re busy doing things, it’s easier to think that the news will be good.

Imagine Mary and Joseph coming around the last turn before entering Bethlehem. Mary feels rotten. She says to Joseph, “Hey husband, with all these people in Bethlehem, do you think we’ll find a place to stay?” Joseph replies confidently, “No problem!

Cancer can bring a wonderful outpouring of tender care, concern and comfort from those around us. This is truly a treasure, and yet in the midst of all this wonderful care, there is still a part of the cancer walk that has to be done alone.

Hope is an interesting thing. You can have a hopeful feeling or a hopeful thought, but to discover what truly brings you hope, you have to see where you are putting it. Where do you put your hope?

Hope is an interesting thing. You can have a hopeful feeling or a hopeful thought, but to discover what truly brings you hope, you have to see where you are putting it. Where do you put your hope?

When the doctor says “it’s cancer”, your mind does not wait for the doctor to explain what cancer is, because your mind already knows. Whether through TV, movies, news reports or experiences with loved ones, it’s difficult to live in the world and not have our minds develop a picture of cancer.

Karen Tripp, LMFT, founder Cancer Companions, shares about how we can offer support through the holidays to those experiencing cancer, and what to do and not to do to care for those loved ones. Listen below to Karen’s interview with Andy Bates on KFUO’s Faith and Family.