It’s the time of year when people talk about “getting in the Christmas spirit.” I’m not exactly sure what is meant by that phrase, but it certainly implies feeling joy and excitement for celebrating this yuletide season (like attending a CeCe Winans’ Christmas concert!)
But what about those who aren’t “in” the spirit? Those who are deeply grieving the death of a loved one. Those who are battling depression and can barely get out of bed. Those whose hearts are breaking over a family member’s addiction. Those whose spirits are crushed by a spouse’s betrayal.
What do weary folks like these need to do at this time of year?
That’s the situation in which my friend Connie found herself back in 2004 just three months after her 47-year-old husband Brad collapsed and died while doing light construction work at a Guatemalan orphanage. Facing the Christmas season without her “best friend, soul mate and life partner” was overwhelming.
“I felt terrible that because of Brad’s death I did not want to celebrate Jesus’ birth,” Connie recalls. “There is an unending ache in my heart and I just want him to come home–I just want to see him again.”
Thankfully, a good friend gave her some insight that helped ease the young widow’s holiday pain.
He asked and answered a question for her: “Do you want to know what Jesus is doing this Christmas season?…He’s weeping. He’s weeping with you.”
I love that image. Jesus wasn’t urging Connie to get in the spirit of the season. He wasn’t chiding her for expressing the painful feelings. The Lord wasn’t disappointed that she couldn’t just put a smile on her face. He didn’t care whether she had a Christmas tree or sent out holiday cards or baked cut-out cookies.
No, He wept with her because her world had been rocked and her spirit was crushed.
Perhaps that’s how you feel this holiday season or maybe someone you love is struggling to “get in the spirit” because of their painful circumstances. Or perhaps you have a little of the “Christmas spirit,” but think you should do more.
What a great time to show grace either to yourself or someone else.
That mental picture of Jesus weeping with Connie in her grief helped her believe that her Lord truly did understand what she was feeling…even if no one else really could. She stopped worrying about a holiday to-do list and instead prayed:
“Just for today, I need to see Jesus.
Just for today, I need to seek Jesus.
Just for today, I need to serve Jesus.”
She celebrated the Savior…without the Christmas spirit. And I believe all of us weary ones can too.
“Somewhere in your silent nightHeaven hears the song your broken heart has cried.Hope is here, just lift your headFor love has come to find youSomewhere in your silent night.”
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Open in your browser and click “Watch on YouTube” small arrow in bottom left corner to hear the beautiful song “Somewhere in You Silent Night” by Casting Crowns.
I’m a newspaper reporter-turned-author. And I’m a passionate encourager, but always a truth-teller. I worked for nearly two decades in a unique position as a patient advocate in my oncologist’s office and the Cancer Prayer Support Group I founded in 1991 is the country’s oldest such faith-based group.
2 comments
Please pray for my surgery tomorow that they get all the cancer out and macroscopic cells.
Author
Dear Antoinette,
How hard it must be for you to face surgery during this Christmas season 🙁 I pray that you experience the healing of God–body, mind and spirit, and that you never doubt how much He loves you! (This season proves it when He sent His one and only son for our salvation.)–Lynn