As I sit beside my decorated tree with Christmas music playing and my adult children wrapping presents in the next room; I am reminded that there are many who may be spending Christmas alone.
If you are one of those dear people, this post is in your honor. Whether you’ve lost a loved one, become recently divorced, sent your son or daughter off to serve in our military or had to place your loved one in a nursing facility this year, the loneliness may feel overwhelming.
Knowing the holidays are meant to be joyful, empathy for the lonely may be the most valuable gift an elf can offer. That, along with a cup of friendship.
It is my prayer that your tears will soon dry, that you will soon feel the warmth of a long embrace and that the chatter of many voices will soon fill the silent nights. While some of your memories may bring on the blues, may the twinkling of the lights on the trees remind you of a star in the east. A promise that you will never truly walk alone shines through each and every point.
If the plans you had made with loved ones leave you feeling dark and lonely; I pray that it won’t be long until the anticipation of Christmas morning felt in the heart of a child, is how you soon feel about your future.
If your nights in solitary are spent with concern over the safety of a loved one far away, I pray the thoughts of a King who had no crib for a bed, and a price on his head, gives you hope that there are wise men close by.
And if by chance, you are suffering from a broken heart because of a love that has failed you, may the One True Love give you comfort with this:
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
May His love be an ornament that you adore in the stillness of night.
And while the Spirit is near, may your friends and family be His arms, His voice, His comfort and His gift during this season.
May your days and nights be filled with sweet stories.
Merry Christmas to all those who are alone. I pray it is more joyful than you expect. I pray that loneliness will be a brief visitor and that joy comes to you like it did thousands of years ago… in the middle of the night, at a place you never thought to look and no matter your age, may you be swaddled in faith, hope and love by the Father Himself.
This is an updated post.