4:359 – Blue Christmas

#faithbites #faithjourney blue

Setting

For many in the world, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. The decorations, food, presents, food, family, food, and of course celebrating the birth of Jesus…and did I mention food? Many of us are suffering and sad. Maybe it’s a sudden death, an upcoming move, missing loved ones (I miss you Dad and Mum), or just a feeling of melancholy. There are many things that can make a white Christmas, blue. We don’t have to understand someone’s grief, depression, and sadness, to love them. We just need to open our doors and say you and your grief are welcome here.

Some people who are suffering want to be alone because they don’t want to put on a happy face and seem like everything is perfect. Others, just don’t want to be around people as they want to be alone in their grief. Yesterday, and even right now, I am sad and missing loved ones and I am still blessed beyond measure. Yes, even those who are well off can and do experience this.

Today’s Questions: If you have grief, anger, and depression during a Blue Christmas, how can you survive it? If you see a loved one who is dealing with grief, anger, and depression, how can you love them and respect what they are going through?

Scripture

Isaiah 40:1, 25-31 – Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
To whom then will you compare me,
or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name;
because he is great in strength,
mighty in power,
not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
‘My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my right is disregarded by my God’?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Reflection

God loves us and wants us to be with him and in communion with each other. He knows that life is hard and we will suffer. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10a) but Jesus comes to give life and to live it to the full (John 10:10b). Nothing that we have suffered is beyond God. We wants to take our load off and help us.

As followers of Christ, we want to help many get over their grief, depression, and anger. We can’t wave a magic wand and do it. What we can do is be kind, open, and tell them we want them in our lives and at our table, no matter what they are going through, as we love them. That is how we help.

As someone who is suffering, we need to reach out to God and see who he puts in our lives. All of this is temporary and it will change. Even change can be hard and with God on our side, we can do it.

As we close, if you are having a blue Christmas for whatever reason, know that you are loved, cherished, and supported.

Prayer

Father God, as we begin to celebrate your Son’s birth, we know that many are not in the seasonal jolly mood. We know that it’s hard for them and us. We pray that you will help us and them as we go through this season. Give us your strength, wrap us in your arms, and help us to know that even though we aren’t cheery, that your Son came for us. We love you and pray for peace in your name, Amen.