While the sights and sounds of the season shout, "Christmas is near," this is not a merry season for all. I think of several groups of people who will struggle this year. While everyone else scurries about with Christmas spirit spreading joy to all, there are some who do not enjoy this time of year.
Let's address those who are dealing with grief. This grief could be fresh with the death of a loved one in the past year. It can also be those who still grieve the loss of a spouse, child, or parent a long time ago. For such people, Christmas will never be the same. Painful past memories are a constant reminder of the void left after their death. The pictures capture the image, but can never bring the person back. Long held family traditions dim in the light of a loved one's absence. Christmas is not the same. Life is not the same. Bravely survivors put one foot in front of the other dutifully going through their days, but not necessarily joyfully. Grieving people have few to talk to about their loved one. The world moves on for others, but when the loved one died, in a way time stands still for those left behind to mourn their loss. Talking helps hold onto the loved one..To revive cherished memories. Others get uncomfortable and want to avoid such talk. The grieving need to talk about their loved one. It is therapeutic.
There is another group who will navigate the nativity season with difficulty. It is the homebound and those in assisted living. Many have outlived spouses, siblings, friends, co-workers and even pastors. Their children are busy with their own lives. They sit alone. The phone never rings. Nobody knocks on the door. They will not get a Christmas card. There will be no present under the tree. From their vantage point nobody remembers and seemingly nobody cares. They will sit through this season as they do all other seasons in isolation. They may feel they have outlived their usefulness. They certainly may suffer the loss of dignity in the way they are treated on rare occasions when they have contact with other people. Only God knows the joy it would bring to a life if people took a little time to find those alone and reach out to them. A phone call. A visit. A Christmas card. A gift could make a world of difference this year.
There is another group I am thinking of now. It is the financially destitute. Those who cannot afford to purchase Christmas gifts. Those who do not want to disappoint their children. Those who lost their job unexpectedly. I have experienced this in the past right before Christmas. It is a horrible feeling. There are those so far behind on bills, they do not have one hope to get caught up, much less get gifts for others. Christmas brings added stress into their already over stressed lives. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Maybe you could open your heart and your wallet to someone in need this Christmas season to help them.
I wish I could take away the pain for all these people. I can't. What I can offer is the same gift God sent to us wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. No longer a baby, the Son of God has something to offer for all the aforementioned groups. For the grieving He is near to them and heals their broken hearts. He binds up their wounds. For those who feel alone,, I offer the comfort that He promised He would never leave us or forsake us. He is near, present and accessible for all. Finally, for those facing financial woes, Jesus is a provider. He makes a way where there seems to be no way.
I am off. It is time to put this blog into action. To go out and spread a little Christmas cheer to those who feel they have little to cheer this time of year. I hope you will do the same.
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