A good writer is worth their weight in gold. How would you describe a good writer? What makes an article or writing impactful? Certainly, if it grabs your attention and holds it – draws you through the sentences.

You always know a good writer when you read their writing. Recently I had this sent to me, and it really grabbed my attention.

“In those days, Justin Trudeau had issued a decree that every Canadian was to stay in their homes. This was the first Christmas that took place during the pandemic. And everyone either followed provincial guidelines or did not. So we went up to the town of Cobourg to visit my parents and to celebrate with loved ones from far and wide. But Canada-U.S. border restrictions for all non-discretionary travel kept more than half our family from traveling at all. Some of us were sad or worried; some of us were mad. No one felt all that joyful. In short, it was a weird Christmas. All the traditions that give meaning and shape to the season were undone. Every Christmas bubble was its own little wilderness.”

Smart eh? This is the writing of Angela Reitsma Bick.

Angela Reitsma Bick is Editor-in-Chief of Christian Courier, an award-winning journalist recognized for her work highlighting social justice issues, and co-author of Blessed are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada.

I won’t include anything further as this is her work, and is copyrighted. But let me commend her writing to you.

Beyond that, it sure made me remember those early days of the pandemic, and it almost made me shudder. The early days of working from home, sipping coffee, and wearing my slippers were almost a relief. We had been traveling so much, had not had much time off or at home, and then – an eerie quietness came across the city. And that first Christmas?! Well, that wasn’t so memorable for us or for most. Being separated from family, being only able to visit from a distance? That was hard for so very many.

But beyond that, it was also a test of our faith. Do you have to be able to attend a church service once a week to call yourself a Christian? Does separation from Bible Study, music groups, or regular contact with other Christians give you license to change your values or your surrender to Jesus?

That was the test of the pandemic. Many churches have found that people disappeared, just never returned from that time of living in a bubble. Being people of faith is about what we do, what we take responsibility for, and what values drive our decisions.