Grieving at Christmas

I can’t remember a Christmas season where I have been surrounded by so much loss. People all around me have lost parents, siblings, children, extended family and friends. Grieving at Christmas is something I remember well. Christmas isn’t a joyous celebration for everyone, but the hope and love of Christmas is still for everyone.

For many, this Christmas exposes raw, open wounds. Maybe, it scratches the scab off a healing wounds. The sense of pain and emptiness overwhelms the soul. One sits in a room surrounded by others, yet filled with sorrow for the missing one. Tears flow, anger erupts, patience runs thin, and depression sets in as the body longs for comfort.

Those grieving at Christmas is exactly who Christmas is for. God so loved the world that he sent His son a son who would reconcile us to God, a son who would show the depth of love. He brings comfort to pain, peace to the broken-hearted, and joy in the midst of sorrow.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV).

24 For he has not despised or scorned
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help. (Psalm 22:24 NIV).

4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 NIV).

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4 NIV).

My heavenly Father, surround all of those who grieve this Christmas season. Let them know deep in their souls that you are with them. Let Your comfort and peace fill the emptiness. Take the tears of sorrow and replace them blessing and joy.

Grieving at Christmas doesn’t have to happen alone. No matter where friends and family are, God is right there with you, wiping your tears. I pray you allow His embrace to bring you comfort.

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