Community Brings Christmas Joy to Virginia Woman With Just Weeks to Live

Sometimes, the most profound expressions of love aren’t in what we say but in how we show up for each other, like the community who brought Christmas joy to a Virginia woman with just weeks to live. On a chilly night in Chesterfield County, an entire community came together to wrap one woman, Tracy Demeyer, in the warmth of Christmas.

Tracy has always loved Christmas. There’s something about the season—the lights, the music, the joy—that lifts her heart. But this year is different. Facing just weeks to live, Tracy knew her time here on earth was coming to an end. She had been battling a cruel and relentless disease known as ALS. She shared with her friend Rita Monteiro that she feared she wouldn’t make it to see Christmas. And as her days grew short, there was one wish Tracy held close—to experience Christmas one more time.

Rita Wanted to Make Sure Tracy Saw Christmas

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Rita “wanted to make sure she could see Christmas” this year. She said, "Next week [is] Thanksgiving, and if she's only got a couple of weeks, then now is the time,” Monteiro said.

With determination and a prayer, Rita rallied the neighborhood. If Tracy couldn’t make it to Christmas, Christmas would come to her. You’ll never believe how dozens of people gathered outside Tracy’s home to usher in the Christmas season in the early days of November before there was even a snowdrop on the ground, thanks to her sweet friend.

Dressed in their finest winter coats and bringing books of their favorite Christmas carols, the lights twinkled, bells jingled, and eyes within the crowd were misty-eyed as they sang. At the same time, Tracy enjoyed the beautiful, heartwarming moment. It was incredible to watch a community coming together to give Tracy her Christmas wish–her Christmas prayer of Peace On Earth. Watching the video will make you tear up too. It’s a moment of watching mere strangers, acquaintances, friends, and family become the hands and feet of Jesus. It was a community simply showing Tracy she is loved and not alone.

Tracy, a Woman With Weeks To Live, Experienced God’s Comfort

As I think about Tracy and the people who gathered for her, I can’t help but see a reflection of God’s comfort. In Matthew 1:23, we’re reminded of the name given to Jesus: Emmanuel—God with us. And in moments like these, when life feels impossibly fragile, His presence becomes so real.

“I pray that she carries the love that she felt tonight every day that she has," Rita said. And isn't that the prayer for all of us? No matter how long or short our time may be, we would feel the depth of love that surrounds us.  A love that reflects the heart of Jesus, who came to bring comfort, peace, and the promise that one day, every tear will be wiped away. For Tracy, Christmas came early this year. But the truth is, Christmas—the heart of it, the love of Christ—is something we carry with us, no matter the season.

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Matthew 25:40 "And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"

WATCH: Community Brings Christmas Joy to Virginia Woman With Just Weeks to Live

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h/t: People

Photo Credit: YouTube/WTVR CBS 6

Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.