Blue Christmas - thoughts of a Jewish Christian

Blue Christmas - it's a thing!  I just discovered that some churches do special services for those struggling during the holidays - brilliant!   (I'm thinking we may do one next year at MCC, as, at this point, bandwidth is limited:)

Anyway, I've always been glad to be Jewish, especially at Christmas time, when I felt free of all the commercial madness.  Since I've become a Christian, my perspective has changed, naturally, but - I still don't have the expectation many life long Christians have of it being a wonderful family time.  So, I light candles, listen to the Messiah, call/text family and friends, and call it good.  

However, having made it through Thanksgiving, I'm well aware of, and have experienced lots of angst.  I'm also aware (see last month's post Here Come the Holidays), that it's a tough time for many people for many reasons.

Grief, loneliness, expectations, mental health challenges, mental and physical illness (add your list here), can all dampen the potential light of this season. 

So, here comes Christmas...and you're blue, and maybe guilty for feeling blue, because blessings, right?  Even when you're rock steady in your faith, you can be a wreck!  So, now what?  Expect God to love you through it.  Take one step, one moment at a time.  Lower your expectations.  No one will die if you eat too much,  or skip a shower.  (However!  This is not permission to be self-destructive or take out your misery on anyone else.)  Trust God to love you through it.  Carry tissues.  Hand out tissues.  It's quite possible to cry, rage,  and count your blessings at the same time - just check out the Psalms!

Congratulate yourself on your victories, however small.  Making it through a day is a victory.   Asking for help navigating this season is a huge victory.  Praying against the enemy (who loves to hop on vulnerability and create strongholds) is a victory.  Looking forward to January is a victory.  

Blessings,


Berta Aronson

Coordinator, Hope for Mental Health

a ministry of Monmouth Christian Church

hmh@mymcc.cc


 

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