If You Are Alone This Christmas

Whether or not COVID has changed things for you this year, you are likely reading this because you are spending the whole holiday, or part of it, alone. Sometimes being alone is a welcomed break. But often, it is not. Usually on Christmas, it’s not.I have a wife and extended family, with kids and grandkids, so it may appear that I don’t know what it’s like to feel and be alone on Christmas. But I do.I was that kid in Bible College that had nowhere to go for Christmas. Just so I wouldn’t have to spend the holiday in the dorm, I’d pick up extra work hours. I remember working security night watch on Christmas Eve and inadvertently seeing through a large picture window, a mom and dad tiptoeing down their stairs, with gifts to put under the tree to surprise their kids the next morning. It made me all the more lonely.I was also that kid who felt sympathy from others because I was separated from my family, and I’d get the awkward invitations to spend Christmas with them. I appreciated their care, and part of me wanted to accept; but I’m an introvert at heart, and spending a holiday with a bunch of people I did not know well, was not something I was eager to do. So I spent a few Christmases alone.I did learn to make that time special. And you can make Christmas this year a wonderful experience. You may not be alone for all of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but part of it. And you may be a couple, either without kids or your kids will not be with you this year, and even together, you feel alone. Let’s make the best of it. I have a few suggestions.

• Complete your morning routine. It’s ok to sleep in a little, but oversleeping is hard on the emotions for the rest of the day. Lounging around all day in your PJs with an unmade bed may be what you feel like doing in the moment, but it won’t make you feel better. Start the morning off well. Make your bed. Shower and brush your teeth. Straighten your house or apartment. There’s something about a chaotic environment and unfinished tasks that dull the mood, while orderly surroundings brighten it.
• Have your devotions. I encourage you to do this every day in the morning, Christmas or not. But out of all days, don’t skip it on Christmas. Alone or not, give your day to God.
• Get something done. It might be that closet you’ve been wanting to go through for the last six months, or the shelves in your garage, or a drawer of what nots in your kitchen. There’s something about the sense of accomplishment that lifts our spirits. I know it’s Christmas, but why not today? Get it done and it will make you feel good.
• Limit your screen time. If you spend the day scrolling Facebook and Instagram, you’ll just feel more lonely. You’ll see all those smiling families posing for the cameras (and not hear the fighting before and after the shot). That won’t be good for your soul. Of all days, stay off social media today.
• Make some phone calls. Lots of them if you can. I get dozens of texts on Christmas from many of you. And I’m not discouraging that. But having a voice-to-voice conversation with family and other people you know are alone, will give you some healthy social interaction. And reaching outside of ourselves is a mechanism for joy.
• Warm the house. I’m not talking about heat. I’m talking about atmosphere. If you have a fireplace, light a fire. Lower the lights and put some candles out. Turn on soft Christmas music.
• Read a good book. Yes, there are dozens of movies playing on TV today, and I’m not saying don’t watch any of them. TV time does little for us. But with a warmed house, soft music playing, and a good book, you can enjoy the rest of the day.

And oh, don’t forget the Christmas story! Read Luke 2 out loud. It will remind you of some other people who were alone on this day, but blessed by God in the midst of it.Merry Christmas.