At Christmas-time, we tend to forget that many people are alone. This could be intentional or the result of circumstance – death, divorce, broken friendships, family far away, or an endless variety of reasons. For those who choose to spend the time in solitude meditating or with other plans, there’s joy in being alone. For those who would prefer to be with others but have no others, it can be a very hard and lonely time.
Many churches and communities have “Blue Christmas Services” to address the reality of loneliness in people’s lives. Loss is a part of life and it can be difficult during the Season when everyone is saying: “Merry Christmas” to generate this merry feeling. We can try to be sensitive to those around us for whom this is a hard time of year. This would be in keeping with the Christmas spirit of giving and sharing. Our gifts don’t have to be store-bought but can be gifts of time, listening, and compassion.
The above quote is by Mike Litman and it may serve to be a motivating force to offer a part of yourself to someone in need during this Season.
The special magic of Christmas is it’s ability to bring back a child-like delight in our hearts for things, places, and people we had all but forgotten. Many grown children who don’t remember their families many times throughout the year, make special efforts to be with them at Christmas-time. They feel a certain nostalgia for home at this time. Our memories of Christmases past may be filled with happiness or loss, but can be a mixture of both as well. If it helps at all, for those who are lonely at this time, just remember the Christmas Story. Mary and Joseph were alone and had to make-do with what they had. They did not have the luxury of a hospital and medical personnel when Jesus was born. The inn-keeper was kind enough to give them a place in the barn.
~ Lenore Hershey
A good book can be a good friend. We’re lucky that we have many fine libraries in Toronto and can find good books that we are able to borrow. I always have a stack of books waiting to be read and I like to give books as gifts. In fact, I bought several books to give as gifts to children this Christmas. Indigo in the Manulife Centre is my favorite book store. The children’s books in the above collage were taken in that store.
A little sugar, a lot of spice,
A woman shaped him … Oh so Nice,
He’s made of dough, and golden tan,
The closest thing to a perfect man.
~~~
Come sit at my table and share with me,
Warm gingerbread cookies and cinnamon tea.
~~~
Fashioned in love was this special gift,
simply to give your heart a lift.
~~~
Gingerbread girls are the sweetest by far,
stuffed to give where you are.
~~~
Gingerbread people are the sweetest things,
and I wish you all the happiness this one brings.
The above collage with the gingerbread cookies is a special memory for me. Since these particular family members will not be here this Christmas, I looked back in my photos today and fondly remembered that special night decorating gingerbread cookies. This is also a good way to dispel any loneliness one may be feeling at this time. By remembering some very good time together, it’s easier to be happy and grateful for having had such a good time. Even if we are far away from loved ones at Christmas, the most important thing is to know that they are happy and they will be happy when they know that we are happy.
Having said all the above, it isn’t always easy to be happy during the Christmas Season. Good feelings can’t be bought in a store. If you can show some small act of kindness to someone going through a hard time this Christmas, please do! This will make your Christmas worthwhile.
Merry Christmas!
Jan Schakowsky