Truth be told, Christmas isn’t merry for everyone. In fact, it can be one of the hardest times of the year. Right now, I have a friend facing her first Christmas without her mom. Two friends battling the never-ending haunting of a child with cancer. There’s a family struggling to make ends meet due to being laid off. Another single momma facing another Christmas in a broken home and a baby girl whose only desire is for her daddy to come home. I’ve got a friend walking her mom through the fire of cancer. The list goes on….and these are just my close friends.
Yes, pain and struggle are still here even when the world decks the halls and cries out with jolly. There aren’t enough candy canes, sleigh rides, or reindeer to make their hearts bright.
Oh, but there is hope. As Charlie Brown finally figures out, it’s all about Jesus. The whole season. His love brings light into the darkness and hope for the broken-hearted.
The only redeeming part of Charlie Brown was that in the end his friends gathered around his meager little tree and surrounded him with “Christmas.” This was the thing that made him smile.
Friend, I pray that if your tree resembles Charlie Brown’s this year that you will find the HOPE that is lying in that manger. I pray that you will feel God’s love for you and rest in the promise that He will never leave…even when the darkness surrounds. I pray that if you are one of the many who will celebrate this holiday alone, you will cling to His truth…that you are loved, chosen, and treasured.
This year I spent Thanksgiving alone. I won’t lie….it was excruciating Tears fell for most of the day, but I found comfort in my church where we sat together and spoke praise to God over the blessings of the past year. Friend, I pray that you will seek out a friend or a church if you will be alone this Christmas. Remember, it’s but a day and there are so many others that are abundant with blessing.
Do you know someone that is hurting this Christmas? May we make it our mission today to wrap them in love and show them the Hope that was born.
Originally published on my personal blog 12/2011.
Kim Sorgius
Kim is just a girl, crazy in love with Jesus. She's a single mother of 4, a passionate homeschooler and life-long student. After teaching 8 years in public school, she traded her M.A. in Early Childhood for sippy cups and homeschool co-ops. Kim is the owner and editor of The Homeschool Village and Not Consumed where she encourages others to rest victoriously in the hands of God, rather than allowing life's difficult circumstances to consume.
Follow Me:
Last updated by at .
Great post! The word HOPE has been placed in my heart for this season. All beginning with our Children’s Christmas play. And God has brought that word alive with the reminder of the hope that was born that first Christmas day. Your post was just another reminder of the HOPE of Christ!
Merry Christmas!!