For unto you is born
this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:11
For several years, I enjoyed singing in a church Christmas
choir. I balanced precariously on the risers, surrounded by my fun alto friends
and the rapturous Christmas music we sang. In this spot, I felt a huge,
concentrated dose of God’s Christmas love.
However, one lyric bothered me: “It’s our very favorite time
of year!” It sure wasn’t mine!
I loved Christmas musicals, but as a single mom I sometimes
dreaded the holidays. Divorce politics and logistics intensified the usual
holiday stress. The season’s emphasis on family themes highlighted my divorce
situation, and I felt sad for my children. I felt alone, even as we celebrated
with extended family.
Gradually, I dared to believe that God would meet our emotional
needs at Christmas. The more I traced his sovereign love through the difficult
events of the past, the more I trusted him to fill our empty Christmases with
his love. Together, my children and I experienced his peace and joy at
Christmas. I discovered a marvelous, paradoxical truth: Christmas is perfect
for those who are alone, grieving, or otherwise merrily-challenged! The prophet
Isaiah foretold Jesus’ ministry this way: “The… Lord has anointed me to bring
good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted… to proclaim
the year of the Lord’s favor… to comfort all who mourn… to give them the
garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.” (Isaiah 61:1-3) Pondering his
birth is never more meaningful and uplifting than when we are brokenhearted.
If you’re facing a lonely Christmas, take some time to pray
through your fears and feelings. Let God help you release your expectations for
the holidays and embrace your reality. Remember that you are never alone,
because “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” (Psalm 34:18) You may also
want to attend a Christmas service where you can soak up the powerful,
transforming truths of the Christmas message.
Accept and embrace your lonely Christmas, and see what God
does. If a Christmas angel visited you today, perhaps his message would be,
“Fear not the lonely Christmas, for God has sent it and He loves you. It is your
invitation to intimacy with Him.” Oh tidings of comfort and joy!
