So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first-born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Or at least that’s the words of the Christmas song I was hearing as it played on my laptop. Something to get me in the mood for the holidays. Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus and spend time with family and friends. But does it feel like the most wonderful time of the year to you?
The holidays can be a lonely and depressing time for many. The well-wishes of “Merry Christmas” can strike sorrow in the hearts of those who grieve. The contrast of the holiday celebrations and all the hype our culture attaches to it is stark against the sadness in the hearts of those who have lost someone they love. They know they have to endure the holidays with an empty place at the table.
On the night of Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem after a long and tiring journey. Plodding through the town, they looked for a place to stay for the night. Imagine their frustration and sheer exhaustion as they trudged from house to house. No one had a room for them. No one seemed to care. At last, they are offered a room…but in a dirty, smelly stable. No private room here as they shared it with the innkeeper’s animals. How tired and weary Mary must have been.
Are you tired and weary, too? Are you dreading the holidays? Are you going through the motions just to get to January? You are not alone. The holidays are difficult when one we love is not there. We feel their absence most acutely when everyone else is celebrating. The happiness of others accentuates our sorrow.
How do you get through this challenging time? Acknowledge to yourself and even to those closest to you that the holidays are difficult for you. Try to think ahead to the holiday gatherings and determine what will be most difficult. What holiday traditions do you hold? Which ones will be especially painful for you? What change can you make that will bring you less pain? For example, if everyone has assigned seats at the Christmas dinner table, then maybe you mix up the seating so you don’t have an empty place setting. Or conversely, maybe you leave your loved one’s place setting there so they are not forgotten. Do what works for you.
Every year at Christmas as we gathered at my parents’ house, Mom would hang up our stockings by the fireplace. These were the stockings of our childhood, ones she had sewn for us. After my brother passed away, Mom continued to hang up his stocking. Although it remained empty, his stocking hanging from the mantle was a sweet reminder that he was still a part of our family.
Think about your Christmas traditions. Tweak them if you need to. Consider starting new ones. Spend time with those who understand your grief. Do what is comforting to you. Acknowledge that the holidays are difficult but know you will get through them. Know that the baby Jesus born that holy night grew up to suffer loneliness and sorrow, too. He came down from heaven to a humble stable so that you might know Him. Let Him comfort you this holiday season with His Presence and His Peace. He loves you so.
Dear Jesus, thank You for coming from heaven to be born in a lowly stable that holy night. Even though there was no room at the inn for You, You always have room for me. Fill me with Your Presence. Comfort me with Your Peace. Amen.
Copyright © 2014 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Or at least that’s the words of the Christmas song I was hearing as it played on my laptop. Something to get me in the mood for the holidays. Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus and spend time with family and friends. But does it feel like the most wonderful time of the year to you?
The holidays can be a lonely and depressing time for many. The well-wishes of “Merry Christmas” can strike sorrow in the hearts of those who grieve. The contrast of the holiday celebrations and all the hype our culture attaches to it is stark against the sadness in the hearts of those who have lost someone they love. They know they have to endure the holidays with an empty place at the table.
On the night of Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem after a long and tiring journey. Plodding through the town, they looked for a place to stay for the night. Imagine their frustration and sheer exhaustion as they trudged from house to house. No one had a room for them. No one seemed to care. At last, they are offered a room…but in a dirty, smelly stable. No private room here as they shared it with the innkeeper’s animals. How tired and weary Mary must have been.
Are you tired and weary, too? Are you dreading the holidays? Are you going through the motions just to get to January? You are not alone. The holidays are difficult when one we love is not there. We feel their absence most acutely when everyone else is celebrating. The happiness of others accentuates our sorrow.
How do you get through this challenging time? Acknowledge to yourself and even to those closest to you that the holidays are difficult for you. Try to think ahead to the holiday gatherings and determine what will be most difficult. What holiday traditions do you hold? Which ones will be especially painful for you? What change can you make that will bring you less pain? For example, if everyone has assigned seats at the Christmas dinner table, then maybe you mix up the seating so you don’t have an empty place setting. Or conversely, maybe you leave your loved one’s place setting there so they are not forgotten. Do what works for you.
Every year at Christmas as we gathered at my parents’ house, Mom would hang up our stockings by the fireplace. These were the stockings of our childhood, ones she had sewn for us. After my brother passed away, Mom continued to hang up his stocking. Although it remained empty, his stocking hanging from the mantle was a sweet reminder that he was still a part of our family.
Think about your Christmas traditions. Tweak them if you need to. Consider starting new ones. Spend time with those who understand your grief. Do what is comforting to you. Acknowledge that the holidays are difficult but know you will get through them. Know that the baby Jesus born that holy night grew up to suffer loneliness and sorrow, too. He came down from heaven to a humble stable so that you might know Him. Let Him comfort you this holiday season with His Presence and His Peace. He loves you so.
Dear Jesus, thank You for coming from heaven to be born in a lowly stable that holy night. Even though there was no room at the inn for You, You always have room for me. Fill me with Your Presence. Comfort me with Your Peace. Amen.
Copyright © 2014 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
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