Depression, grief, and loneliness at Christmas - Missional Thought of the Day

[James Nored]

Christmas is my favorite holiday by far. I love the music!! I love spending time with family and friends and having a break from the routine. I love people thinking about Christ. I love how people are motivated to reach out at this time of year.

 

But how much would I love Christmas if my wife or child had died during December? If I were alone without family or friends to see? If I were in terrible health? If I were a recent immigrant, and knew virtually no one?

 

The fact is, Christmas can be a brutal time for those who are grieving, depressed, or lonely. They see everyone else going home to family and friends, but have no one to go home to. No one to visit or be visited by. They have to work a graveyard shift, while others are off. Or they are off but, in the stillness of this day, without work to keep them occupied, they realize for the first time just how lonely their lives really are.

 

I think of one of our elders whose' mother-in-law passed away a couple of days ago, and the funeral is on Friday. Christmas for this family will probably for now on be associated with the passing of a loved one.

 

I think of a young single dad that I know who visited our church recently after our Thanksgiving turkey give away from our Vega Elementary outreach. He may be all alone on Christmas.

 

I think of my friend in KC who is suffering from depression. Will he be able to make it through this time okay?

 

This Christmas Eve we are encouraging our church to go out in their families or small group and bring a little "Joy to the World" to those who are working that night, or perhaps home all alone. A care package, carol, pizza--anything to bring joy to those who need it most this holiday season. I really think that this is what Jesus would do on this night. Serving people and helping them overcome the brokenness of life by giving them love and hope--this is missional.

 

What can we do to help people overcome grief, loneliness, and depression during the holidays?

[James Nored]

Thanks, John, for sharing these thoughts. I have said a prayer for you, that God may bless your Christmas with good memories and new, joyful ones.

[John Dobbs]

Excellent thoughts, James. I have expressed appreciation to our church for the many prayers for those who experience grief and loss during the holidays. As one of those people, I also say that we focus on Emmanuel ... God With Us. The message of Christmas is not sad or depressing, it is our current reality and eternal destiny. Thank you for caring ... and for expressing that care to others in the way you describe.