Nothing highlights brokenness like Christmas. We distract ourselves all year, but when the Christmas season comes around… loneliness and hurt always loudly knock on the door of our conscious mind, demanding acknowledgment.
Christmas is supposed to be a season of peace, joy and togetherness, but when we lack any of these, it somehow feels worse than any other time of year. According to a NAMI survey, about 64% of those already diagnosed with a mental disorder report feeling worse at Christmas.
Instead of celebrating with our loved ones, we are mourning their absence. Instead of resting in abundance, we are reminded of all that we are lacking. I remember Christmases like this from my own past. My first Christmas as a single mom was brutal. I was working so hard and had nothing… literally nothing to show for it. I remember sitting down with my three little girls and explaining to them that I couldn’t afford Christmas gifts. I reassured them that they would get gifts from their grandparents, but that sadly, Mama wouldn’t be able to buy them any presents. I expected tears…. I expected questions, but I did not expect all three of my little girls while having tears in their eyes to say, “It’s ok, Mama. You’re a good Mama and we love you.” I was so caught off guard by their loyalty and belief in me that I burst into tears. I felt relieved, guilty and determined all at the same time. I prayed that somehow God would give me a miracle.
You know what? I got a miracle. At the last possible minute, I got a gift of $1,000… yes, you read that right. Someone anonymously gave me $1,000. I rushed out to buy a tree and gifts, then I rushed home to decorate and wrap. To say that I was excited is an understatement. I was thrilled, exhilarated and so incredibly thankful. I was shopping, crying and laughing. My prayer had been answered. I was seen and heard. I felt the love of God through someone else’s willingness to say yes. I can still see my little girls coming home on Christmas Eve to a tree and presents. They were squealing, jumping up and down, and hugging me. I was able to tell them how I prayed for a miracle and God answered. That was a special Christmas, and it opened their eyes and hearts to what is possible when we surrender our needs to God.
“Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.”
-Ruth Carter Stapleton
If there was ever a time of year to embrace love, Christmas is the season. The God of love sent love to us in human form and love hangs in the atmosphere all around us this time of year. Your brokenness matters to God. You matter. I don’t know what you need today, but I do know that the same God who answered the prayer of a defeated single mother, will answer your prayers this season.
If you are not experiencing brokenness this season, consider how you could make a difference if you woke up every morning and lived from that place of love inside you. We all fall short. Humans will never be perfect. We have all judged, gossiped, lied and hurt someone close to us. Did we learn from those things? Did we grow? Are we able to do better the next time? Are we humble enough to apologize?
The Christmas season is a great time to recommit to walking in love toward our fellow man.
I think about love often throughout the season. I think of love when I give gifts and when I wrap gifts. I believe that presentation matters, but the intention inside is a poignant way to speak to someone about their value to you. I want my Christmas gifts to be an expression of love.
The first and greatest gift was love. Our modern Christmas season no matter how it has evolved is rooted in God’s love for mankind, how that love manifested in physical form and sent a message of love to the world. What would you do to right a wrong in your child’s life? Would you simply punish them? Would you try to understand where and why they went astray? Would you seek to understand them a little more so that you could love them into wholeness? I don’t believe you can relegate the Christmas story to a birth and inevitable death. I believe that the journey of Christ is massively important to understand.
Love dwelt among us. I don’t want to know a world without love. I am committed to doing my part. I choose love.
Merry Christmas! I would love to hear from you! Please reach out to me at my website, HSHaygood.com or find me on Facebook under HS Haygood.
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