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We are full blown into the Holiday season, in fact, we are about half-way through it and into the New Year.  So many people associate the Holidays with family, food, gifts, and pretty decorations.  During Thanksgiving so many people have turkey, or ham, casseroles, family dinners, movies, games, and many other traditions. During Christmas, there are parties, cookies, tree lighting, house lighting, presents, and a plethora of ways to celebrate Christmas.  In anticipation of the New Year, many people make grand resolutions.  They anticipate a new work-out program, new job, beginning a new healthy habit, keeping a neater house, going to school, starting a new job, giving something up, or any other promise we make to ourselves in an effort to improve our situation.  This can all be so exhausting. In fact, I have been so wrapped up in my plans, my cooking, my thoughts, trying to make Christmas not so sad for my Dad, and everything else on my mind that I haven’t blogged in weeks. In fact two different friends reached out to me to make sure I was okay.  Now THAT is great friendship.

On the flip side to Holiday cheer, there are those that don’t look forward to the Holiday season. Perhaps they don’t have their loved one with whom to share Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas tree decorating, present exchange, stocking stuffers to share, or a New Year’s Eve partner to share a celebratory glass of Champagne.  It can be a devastatingly lonely time for those that have lost a spouse, parent, sibling, child, aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandfather, cousin, close friend, or pet.  Some people may experience loss in the form of a job; they can’t afford to give their family the Holiday specialness they used to.  Others may experience loss in the form of freedom; maybe they did something they regret and it has landed them in jail, a rehab facility, or a home for single mothers.  Whatever the loss; it is real for some people. It might even be a person we pass by every day, maybe even be your neighbor or coworker.

This year, if you are one of the lucky ones that don’t feel loss or depression; make an early New Year’s resolution; not one to lose weight or start eating better. Instead, make it a point to see the people that need a little extra cheer.  Sometimes, just an acknowledgement of their hard times or their feelings is enough. It could be something like “Hey, (name), I know you’ve had some hard times and loss this year. I’m sure the Holiday season is tough on you. I just wanted you to know I’m thinking (or praying) for you.”  It can really be that simple and can make a difference in someone’s day.  If you know a family in need, you could offer to help with food or Christmas gifts. Maybe you want to do an anonymous gift to a family or person in need.  Giving really does feel better than getting sometimes.

Another thing you could do is focus on the reason for Christmas; the birth of Christ.  The one person who died for each and every one of us.  If you haven’t gotten there yet, it isn’t hard to do. We have eternal life that came from a baby; a baby that created the Earth and chose to come down to it in the form of flesh and then took on our sin so that we can have eternal life just by accepting His gift.  It could be the best present you accept this year or it may be the best gift you give to someone else.  I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with thanfulness, your Christmas will be Merry and joy-filled, and your New Year will be filled with hope and peace.