Vol. 18 No. 50 | December 19, 2016
It is the week before Christmas. According to many of our traditions and holiday customs, this is a time of quiet, peace, and blissful harmony. It is a time when we are expected to have a “happy-jolly-jingle-bell-ringing, Silent-Night-Holy-Night singing, Rudolph-the-Red-Nose-Reindeer, It’s-the-Most-Wonderful-Time-of-the-Year” attitude.
What happens if you do not feel like that? Where do you go if “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” makes you weep? What happens if Elvis singing “Why Can’t Everyday be Like Christmas” makes you want to crawl into a hole, or “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” makes you want to crawl back in bed and pull the covers over your head? What if listening to one more sermon about the baby Jesus being born in a manger makes you want to get up and run out of the church building?
What if you are just not in the holiday spirit?
If any of those descriptions sound familiar, let me say a few things.
First, it is okay for you to feel that way. There are no laws, there are no obligations, and there are no requirements that demand that you wear a Christmas sweater, ugly or otherwise. There is nothing that says you must sit in long lines of traffic and then joyously fight your way through a stressed-out crowd in the department store so you can then stand in a long line to check out. There is not even a hint of a suggestion that you are less spiritual if watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” again this year has no appeal to you.
It is okay to feel whatever you are feeling. It is okay for you to be sad. Maybe you are going through a difficult time with your family. There is conflict between you and your husband. There is conflict between you and your wife. Your son is not coming home this year. You do not know where your daughter is. Your cancer has returned.
It is okay to feel what you are feeling.
Second, it is important that you express whatever you are feeling. Maybe it is the first Christmas since your mother died. Maybe you know this is the last Christmas you will spend with your Dad. Maybe fear about the future has you paralyzed. It may not be necessary to share it with a therapist or your doctor or your closest friend. Sometimes it helps just to be open and honest with yourself. Say it out loud in front of a mirror, or under the covers, or in a journal. Admit that you are sad, depressed, grieving, or just “blue.” It is okay, whatever you’re feeling, but it is important that you come to terms with those feeling so that you can eventually move past them.
Third, stay connected to the Lord. Tell Him what you are feeling. Pour out your heart to Him. He can handle anything and is willing to help you with your burden.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.” (Matthew 11:28-30, New International Version)
Fourth, keep in mind that the message of this season ‘Immanuel’, ‘God with us’, ‘3’ ‘the Virgin Mary, ‘the holy birth’, and ‘they will call him Immanuel”, which means God with us. (Matthew 1:23, NIV).
The Message (John 1:24) reads, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” He is right here with us. This is right where He wants to be.
Finally, remember these lines from Max Lucado’s book, You’ll Get Through This.
“You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good. In the meantime don’t be foolish or naive. But don’t despair either. With God’s help you will get through this”.
It may be a difficult time for you or someone you know. I hope these words will help comfort you in the coming weeks. If I can help, I hope you will contact me.
It is the week before Christmas, and you will get through this.
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2016. Tom Norvell. All Rights Reserved.