At a time of year when families and friends gather to celebrate the birth of Christ, loneliness can bring unintended consequences through choices.
Lonely at holiday time.
5 negative choices
- Dwell on your loneliness.
- Eat sweets.
- Drink alcohol.
- Take a pill to feel better.
- Curl up in bed and stay there all day.
5 positive choices
- Attend a local church that is in accordance with your beliefs.
- If you can’t be with family call up a friend to spend the day and plan activities with.
- On your computer, or mobile, find a web site that holds an on-line service.
- Either cook yourself a nice meal or go out to a favorite restaurant. Watch a Hallmark movie with your pet. Read the Christmas story in the Bible.
- Spend time skyping with family, or messaging, to combat the loneliness.
Growing up, Christmas was always a high point in our house. My Mom and Dad put much time, energy and love into making December 25th a very special occasion. From stockings filled with goodies to opening presents after breakfast (with the dishes all washed and dried-sigh) and the Christmas story read from the Bible, my brother and I experienced joy and peace at this time of year. Through college I made it a priority to be home at Christmas. Whether it meant driving an hour, sometimes 21 hours, or flying, I did it. Now that my own family is grown and has ‘flown the roost’, my wife and I still make it a priority to have our family together at Christmas.
This year will be different, which causes me to make up a list of good and bad choices. Through circumstances beyond our control we are only celebrating this Christmas with one of our children and her husband. Concern enters in that being apart from two of our children (adults now) will cause choices to be made with them experiencing loneliness that will not be productive. We are praying for peace and joy for our ‘apart’ and ‘together’ family.
What about you? Will you be together or apart? What choices will be made by you and yours this Christmas season?
