“You have kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless night, each tear entered in your ledger,each ache written in your book.” Psalm 56:8
Are you going through a rough Christmas season? Are you secretly dreading Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Many Christian homes this Christmas will search for a way to handle their aching and broken hearts.
You may have recently experienced the death of a loved one. The pain of the empty chair at the kitchen table is overwhelming. Your deep sense of loss and grief is a sign of a deep love for someone very special.
You may be dealing with sorrow and pain as you face the holidays alone, abandoned, apart from our spouse or family, with painful memories, a severe illness or family dysfunction.
It’s possible you may be thinking, “Is Christmas for the grieving?”
Yes! Christmas is especially for people who are grieving. The answer can be found in Scripture.
Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” (NLT)
Isaiah 53:4 “Yet it was our weaknesses that he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down…” (NLT)
God sent His only Son to be born as a baby for the world full of loss, suffering and grief. You will be encouraged as you read the Christmas story in the New Testament book of Luke. The Word of God reveals the healing the Christ child brings to all people.
Luke 1: 78-79 “ All this will be because the mercy of our God is very tender, and heaven’s dawn is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, and to guide us to the path of peace.” (NLT)
I miss my parents and many other loved ones who have died. Things are so different. The mourning and sadness at Christmas is very real. I spend time praying and asking God to lift the heaviness of my heart. My heart is determined to go on. I strive to maintain the joy of Christmas in honor of Christ and the loving memories of my parents and the others.
At times the tears flow very easily and other times they are uncontrollable.
But there is Good News my friends! God sees our tears and Joy comes in the morning. His mercies are new every morning.
John 16:20 “ Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (NLT)
You may be wondering, “How do I pray in times of sorrow? What words do I say to God?”
Talking to God with an honest and tender heart is demonstrated in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. In the center of the Bible, in the Psalms, King David is a wonderful example of a broken heart crying out to God. David is very authentic with God and we can be too.
Psalm 43:4-6
“Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, ‘Where is this God of yours?’ My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be… Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again—my Savior and my God!”
May this be your prayer request and your hope this Christmas season!
Steps in the direction of healing for Christmas!
Create New Traditions and Serve Others
Make a few phone calls and volunteer to visit the local nursing home, rehab center, local Rescue Mission or Homeless shelter. Serve food, play games or create a craft activity with the people in need.
Remain Active Physically
Take short walks and daily continue to move physically. This will be extremely helpful on the road to healing.
Attend A New Christmas Event
Google your local churches websites and attend a few Christmas services and concerts. You don’t have to join or participate in the activity. Allow the members of God’s Christian church to serve you and lead you in songs of worship and praise. You will be blessed as you run to seek Christ who came to save the world.
God calls us to stand together in time of sorrow and especially at Christmas. Ask God to reveal to you how He can use you to reach out and help the hurting.
May each of you be encouraged this Christmas as you read the promises of God.
Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Share your thoughts: What will you do differently this Christmas?
