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External and internal pressures to be happy can be unrelenting during the Christmas season. From carefully curated holiday photos and vacation posts on social media to jolly Christmas songs and merry coffee cups, there is a prevailing narrative that people should feel a certain way during the holiday season. But what about those who are currently going through the loss of a loved one, loneliness, depression, illness, financial stress, a faith crisis, family issues, grief, job loss, and more? How does one interpret the joyfulness of the season through these all-too-common lenses, despite the genuine efforts of Christmas movies to bring the “feels”?
While not every person may experience the amazing transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, here are a few ways we can have small and honest renewals of heart and faith during this holiday season.
First, remember that Christmas is about Christ.
Keeping our focus on Christ’s first coming and what that meant for us is the first step to taking our minds off our own troubles and onto the person who conquered them all, including even our final enemy, death. While we will face a variety of emotions and difficult circumstances in this life, which God uses to grow us in humility, we should not be ashamed because Jesus experienced the ultimate humility and suffering on the cross.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, through he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself taking the form of a slave, and being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:6-8)
For anyone experiencing displacement, both in home and work during this season, it is good to remember that Mary and Joseph also experienced the ultimate displacement. Jesus was born in a manger away from Mary and Joseph’s home in Nazareth. While not diminishing the heartfelt and true emotions of the unknown and uncertainties of this world we all experience, we can take comfort in God’s assurance that he looks after the needs of his creation.
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matt. 6:26)
Second, bring Christmas to others through giving.
While giving to family and friends is fun, giving to others who have little to nothing to give in return echos the greatest gift of all, as gifting reflects God’s love for his people:
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph. 2:8)
From giving material and monetary gifts to dedicating your personal time, emotional commitment, and talents for the benefit of others, there are countless acts of generosity that can make for good and meaningful gifts in different ways to different people. It is impossible to put a price on a thoughtful letter or text message, a warm hug, home-baked cookies or a meal, eyes that listen, or an unexpected invite. While the gifts we give and receive may provide significant emotional rest from one’s own troubles, the greatest gift is Jesus himself:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Third, take heart that Christmas is about bringing joy to the world.
All humans are broken without Jesus, and, therefore, no one is any better than another. While the Christmas season can feel overwhelming due to complex and sometimes sad emotions, the message we all need to hear and steadfastly cling to is the gospel of salvation in Christ alone. There is true and enduring joy in the world for all believers, despite whatever we may be feeling right now. Regardless of the particular season in life you may be going through at present, because of Jesus you are no longer estranged from God. You have peace with God both now and forever, and this is truly the most joyous news of all time!
This article was originally published on December 23, 2021.
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