Christmas for the lonely is the worst of all holidays. It is the peak of all the missed chances and forgotten moments that haunt their existence. It seems to amplify their loneliness.
A Lifeline for the Hurting
I have a heartfelt plea this festive season: reach out to those who are hurting and offer them a lifeline. Not by trying to cheer them up or giving quick fixes, but simply by loving them. Quiet desperation is one of the heaviest burdens a soul can carry. We cannot remove that burden entirely—only God can heal the deepest wounds. But He often chooses to work through us.
A Day of Celebration and Reflection
December 25th is not the exact date of Jesus’ birth; it’s the day we commemorate His birth. Those are two separate things, and this might help our non-believing friends understand the meaning behind the day. Still, whether someone believes in Christ or not, one thing everyone does on the 25th is reflect. Almost all of us take a moment, if only briefly, to look back on our lives.
Gratitude in the Present Moment
For many of us, the fortunate among us, myself included, this reflection brings gratitude. We see how God has carried us, blessed us, surrounded us with relationships that enrich our days, and given us experiences we never deserved but deeply cherish. We remember seasons of joy, perhaps even better seasons than the one we’re living in now, but our feet remain firmly planted in the present. This moment is ours, a gift from God. And in this moment, we choose hope.
Psalm 100: 4–5, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good, and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
When Christmas Feels Heavy
But not everyone walking beside us sees this season the same way. Some face broken relationships. Others feel like opportunities have slipped away. Some look forward and only see darkness. Their minds drift to what might have been but never will be. Their hearts hold memories that darken the soul and weigh down the spirit. Life doesn’t seem like a glass half-empty—it feels like the glass was never big enough to hold what they lost.
Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Understanding the Depth of Despair
I feel deep compassion for them because I have been in their position. I have experienced the cold, lonely pain of despair. In that moment, even minor wounds seem deadly. And just when life feels too hard to bear, something darker tries to pull you further down.
For many people, Christmas isn’t a time for reflection; it’s a day to try to forget. The happiness of others only deepens their pain. The “light at the end of the tunnel” feels more like a train coming. Salvation seems like a myth. Comfort and joy feel like fairy tales.
I have prayed not to wake, begging for tomorrow not to come. I wanted the pain to stop completely. But the peace we seek cannot be found outside of Christ. And the outcome of a life without Him is not something to desire, no matter how broken the present moment feels.
Called to Walk with the Least of These
Matthew 25:45, “‘Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”
This Christmas, choose to invest in someone else’s journey. Not to fix their life or offer solutions, but to provide companionship and hope. Let them know they are not walking alone. Be the person God delights in working through—the one who brings light into someone else’s dark corner.
Healing Broken Connections
And one more thing: each of us has broken connections, people who hurt us, or people we have hurt. Consider offering a kind word, a small gesture. It might change more than one life. It might just change yours.
Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”