Watt Family 2025 Christmas Letter

Dear family and friends,

As I write this letter, we are just a few days from Christmas. As we move through this season of Advent, we remember that Christ has come, and we wait for Him to return. We live in the space between those two truths.

There is a tension that comes with that. Hope for a world that is fully restored. Sorrow that today the world is still under the curse. And gratitude for God’s daily mercies and promise that all things are being redeemed. 

In our own family, we felt that tension this past year. There are so many memories that we hold with gratitude, such as our family vacation to Bethany Beach in August, Alex and Ben running the Chicago half-marathon together, Alex, Kathryn, and Ben spending a week together in Ethiopia for a medical missions trip, RC, Lisa, and Lauren raising and releasing 19 monarch butterflies with neighbors and family, and Lauren’s improved health, enabling her work with several clients as part of her virtual assisting business.

But there have also been hard things. On December 1st, Lisa’s mother, Betty Lou, passed away at age 95. Just a few days before, we spent Thanksgiving with her. We had a beautiful visit with RC, Lisa, and Lauren present, and Alex, Kathryn, and Ben connecting by phone. Mom/Grandma had been bedridden for several years, but it still came as a shock when she passed a few days later. We’re grateful that Lisa was able to do her nails and hair for one final time and that we all enjoyed muffins that Lauren baked.

We also said goodbye to our dog Pascal on November 10th. After struggling with heart issues for a few years, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in late July, and it progressed rapidly. And two of our pet lovebirds that we enjoyed for many years also passed away in the spring.

But even amid loss, new life continues to emerge. Our home now sings with the voices of two new parakeets, Merry and Pippin, two new lovebirds, Mango and Tango, and Emily, our original lovebird. (Fun fact: People frequently ask RC if he is at the aviary when talking to him on the phone because the birds love to compete with his voice.) And Bentley, our new toy poodle puppy, who we brought home on November 29th, pulses with energy and brings us laughter.

When I (Lauren) write these annual letters and family updates, I often wonder what to include and how to make them cohesive. The truth is that there is a lot that happens in 365 days. The other truth is that our family is now made of 6 adults, who all have a unique story to tell when it comes to the end of a year. But something that is true for all of us are the words of Psalm 23:6, “Surely your [God’s] goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

A few days ago, I saw a quote on Instagram that brought this truth into the Advent season. “I (almost) always come limping into Advent, desperate for light, but almost too tired to look for it. Then I remember: The Light came looking for me, and that’s the whole point.” – Annie B. Jones

Advent reminds us that even when we are weary, even when the year has been full of both joys and struggles, we are not alone. The Light comes to us exactly where we are and shines in the darkness. 

Our prayer is that you will have a blessed Christmas, friend, and that the Light will fill your heart as you celebrate Immanuel.

Love,

RC, Lisa, and Lauren