Along with being a wonderful season of celebrating Christ’s birth, Christmas is also a time of “togetherness” – a time to gather with family, friends, and loved ones and fellowship with one another. For this very reason, it can be one of the most difficult times of year for those who find themselves alone during the holidays.
Our family is experiencing just a touch of Christmas Loneliness this year. For the first time ever, my wife and I will not be able to travel home to see our parents for the holidays (moving across state lines tends to do that!). While we’re looking forward to having Christmas in the mountains and beginning our own family traditions with our children, it still feels a little sad to not be with extended family during the holiday break.
Of course, this is nothing compared to the many sweet widows in the church we serve at, who have lost their husbands, live away from their grown children, and will be truly alone on Christmas Day. As we minister to these sweet ladies, I find myself grieving vicariously through them as they express the emotions they are struggling with.
For those who find themselves alone, Christmas can be a truly difficult time.
But it doesn’t have to be.
Isn’t that what the message of Christmas is all about? That we are not alone? That, in spite of our wickedness and selfish ways, God loved us enough to reach out across time and space and give us His very Son?
I’m not sure who this blog post is intended for, but I just feel that someone out there needs to hear this. If you’re facing the deep, raw ache of Christmas Loneliness this year, then know this:
You are not alone, because, you see…
God is with us.
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Matthew 1:23
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The Artistic Christian 
Thank you Lord for loving us
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Amen to that!
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Amen. This, also, will be our first Christmas away from family. We also recently moved out of state. Feels strange in many ways. But I’m also looking forward to just spending the time at home with my family. If we were back home we would be running around from one house to the next. 🙂
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I understand! It will be more relaxing this way for sure… even if it is a little bittersweet. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!
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🙂 Merry Christmas to you as well!!!
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We are spending Christmas away from home this year as my husband continues his treatment and soon to be bone marrow transplant. In some ways, it’s been a gift to be away from the maddening crowd. To sit and reflect without a lot of distractions has brought us more peace this year. Merry Christmas!
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I can see how that can be a blessing, especially during a stressful time! My prayer is that your husband’s treatment goes well, and that you both have an especially Merry Christmas this year!
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Miss you all as well. However I am thankful you were there to minister to these sweet ladies in need of holiday cheer. You and your family are perfect to bring happiness to others. Love you all!
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Love you, too! And the care package you sent us was absolutely perfect – “Snowball Surprise” cookies are one of my favorites! It turned out to be a great Christmas…
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So well said! I have seen that in people in my life and I recall the loneliness ache Christmases ago when I was pregnant with our first child and my husband was serving in Vietnam. Even though I was with my parents, there was a special ache and loneliness I still recall fifty years later as I watch our family gathered around our tree, some facing difficult challenges of various sorts this year. Thanks for your sensitivity for those living that season this year!
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Wow – I so admire military officers and their families, especially during this time of year. Thank you for your sacrifice in the name of freedom, and for sharing your thoughts!
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