It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or is it? I know you have all heard that song. The song that declares it’s the most wonderful time of the year. As if holiday greetings, friends coming to call, parties that we host, marshmallows that we roast, and carolers out in the snow somehow mean that we should be overcome with absolute joy and merriment. That is simply not true. Joy is not the only feeling we feel during the proclaimed most wonderful time of the year. Sure, Christmas songs and lights can make us smile and we can reminisce about beautiful moments that we may have shared with others but there could also be a great deal of pain.

Does God understand if absolute joy is not how we feel on Christmas Day? Yes, he absolutely does. There is no scripture that says that you have to feel joy every moment or even that you have to be thankful for everything. The truth is scripture says in everything give thanks not for everything. It says do not be discouraged which means that we’ll face discouragement. It says take heart which means sometimes we’ll lose heart. It says that he is close to the broken hearted. Scripture declares that “blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” 

God knows and understands that we have grief in this life even during the holiday season. We can experience very real pain. Bone jarring, deep, life altering pain. Christmas will go on though, the show must go on no matter what we’re feeling or experiencing. Perhaps this year or at least in the recent past you have lost your lifelong love, you may have been struggling financially or emotionally, you may have celebrated the holidays absolutely alone, perhaps your beloved child has been taken from you long before they should, or maybe this year you are struggling to find a reason to keep on keeping on. So much pain, so much heartache. Know that you are not wrong for not feeling joyful. It is OK to not be OK even at Christmas time. God is not blind to our suffering. He is there at our best moments and even more present at our worst. He loves us just as deeply at both. He abides for our joyous celebrations and remains still in our deepest moments of grief, loss, and pain. It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is; it doesn’t matter if everyone expects you to feel holiday joy, God is still God with us whether in complete darkness during Christmas or an absolute joyous light. When the Christmas star shines brightly or when it is covered by the clouds, and you can’t see it. He remains through it all with us, Emmanuel!

So, this holiday season. Wherever you are, I am certain that our humble savior who came as an unassuming child is very near to you. Don’t worry if you say it’s really not the most wonderful time of the year.  Don’t worry, you’re not being a Grinch, you’re just a human with real feelings, raw emotions, difficult circumstances, and true pain. It’s OK even if you never say it again or perhaps think that you might never feel that way again. Don’t try to pretend to be something that you’re not or feel something you don’t for someone else’s benefit. Instead, just be where you are and receive God’s love and his comforting presence. Remember he’s close to you if you’re broken hearted and that his Holy Spirit was sent to comfort you. He cries with you, and he holds you. He is always near to you, Emanuel, God with us. Feel the breath of heaven breathing over you comfort and peace-true rest and respite from your sorrow. Not some manufactured fake joy but instead may you find true peace and comfort this Christmas.