When the Holidays are Horrible

Sometimes the holidays can be just plain horrible.

I’m not talking about the annoying family member that seems to take away a bit of everyone’s joy. I am not talking about various inconveniences, like traffic or crowded stores, that occur around this time of year. I am talking about those for whom the holidays are the most difficult time of the year.

  • I’m talking about those who, in 2011, will celebrate their first thanksgiving and Christmas without a spouse, child, or loved one.
  • I’m talking about the singles who are unable to go home for any of the holiday delights. Some of them have to work. Some of them cannot afford a trip home.
  • I’m talking about those whose families abandoned them, and they have nowhere to go. I was speaking with someone last year who had no “home” to go to. This person was emancipated because neither parent really wanted responsibility. In other words, this person could have gone home – if there had been a home to go to.
  • I’m talking about the families who financially are unable to do special things like many other families.

So, let me suggest something to each of you before you get crazy busy. Grab your calendar, pick a date, and invite someone over to share a meal with you.

Thanksgiving is not about envy – it is about giving thanks, right? Christmas is about Jesus, right? Here is what Jesus said were the two greatest commandments, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ … ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’

What better way to love on hurting people than to give them your most precious commodity – your time and attention.

Your act of kindness might do two very powerful things:

  1. It might help a person’s or a family’s holiday season be a whole lot brighter
  2. The Lord just might use you to help a struggling person truly give thanks and joyfully celebrate the birth of Jesus, the One who saves people from their sins.
Rob Green
Pastor Rob Green oversees Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries. A seasoned counselor, Rob also teaches others how to counsel--through FBCM's training conferences and Faith Bible Seminary's MABC program.