Christmas time can be full of excitement for some, because it’s a time for joy, gifts, food around the table, and gatherings with family. Bright, shiny lights illuminate the house fronts, and a decorated tree sits cozily inside. But some people have lost loved ones or had a tough year, and that same excitement just seems to be out of reach. It makes the holidays insufferable. I want to tell you, God sees you and he knows how much you hurt.

You don’t walk alone. I’ve had a rough year too, and it doesn’t even feel like Christmas. It’s extremely busy and I haven’t had time to soak in that excitement for the holiday. But I have found joy in the smallest things and peace and comfort, like watching a Christmas play or singing Christmas songs in my car in the parking lot—probably looking pretty ridiculous! I have found comfort in the fact that Jesus loved us so much, that He became human and came to us as a baby. 

God knows how much you hurt. He holds every tear and every shattered heart. Every confused why and desperate plea. We sing songs of Immanuel, God with us, because He is with us! Always. Especially in the hard times. I’m encouraged by David and the other authors who wrote the book of Psalms. David pours out his heart to God multiple times, and is even willing to praise Him during his trials. Just like Paul and Silas did in prison.

Psalms 13:1-2 NLT “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?”

Psalms 13:5-6 NLT “But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.”

Even though we can’t seem to find that Christmas spirit, we can still sing to God in our pain, because He is good, and he loves us. And that’s an important thing to remember this Christmas. The best gift is Christ. In the song “Mary Did You Know”, there’s a line that says, “When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God.” How humbling! What I would give just to see Jesus and hold His little hand—the tiny fingers that would one day be outstretched on a cross for our sins. 

I’m sorry if you’re hurting. This time is indeed hard, and you’re not alone. Remember that, no matter what comes, God is with you. And that’s what Christmas is all about. Take some time to rest, to meditate on what Jesus did for us. Like David did, talk to God and praise His holy name. 

And merry Christmas!

Psalms 34:18 NLT “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Matthew 1:23 NLT “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”