Many people look forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. Some struggle to decide on whether to put up the tree before, during, or after Thanksgiving. Some decide what sales they will go to for the “black Friday” shopping spree. Some may not celebrate at all. My purpose is beyond the discussion of whether or not to celebrate these holidays. Meanwhile, others will be in sorrow missing their loved ones that have passed on. Holidays are not always happy for everyone. Let’s talk about some things that may be helpful in the holiday season.
You must know, and let those who suffer through loss in this season know, that God loves us (John 3:16).God understands our heartaches as well as our joyous moments. He is able to comfort us in these times. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is working in your perseverance in the same sufferings which we also suffer. And our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort”(2 Corinthians 1:3-7 LSB). Knowing God comforts us allows us to provide the same comfort to others.
You should contact those who you know that are struggling during this season. This can be done in different ways. You can visit them in person. You can send them a card. You can even give them a call. We may not know what to say exactly, but let them know that you care and you are thinking of them. This will go a long way and this shines the light of Jesus Christ in us. You can even invite them to celebrate with you. Don’t leave them out unless they insist or desire not to participate for conscience reasons. Love the hurting and they’ll love the Lord and even you back!
You can invite them to do something good for the community. Doing good to people lifts the spirits of the hurting. Helping others helps them in their struggle. This can open many doors of opportunity for the Word to come into the very lives of those we touch. Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40). Why not shine the light of Christ so that others see Him in you?
Say a prayer with them. “Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:13-16 LSB). It does a great joy to those who know that you are praying for them. We can never pray too much (1 Thess. 5:17)!
So as we think about the holidays, may we consider those who are suffering. Sometimes we let this slip and our focus forgets those who are left out. May we love others so that they love Christ in return more! The best thing for Christians to do is be a Christian and this includes loving the brokenhearted and the grieving. May God’s blessing be upon you and may He give you peace, joy, and love in this holiday season and beyond!
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