If you listen regularly to Hope 100.7, you have heard about Christmas Hope, a program matching people in need with people who are willing to share their blessings with others. Listeners have been stepping up to help others in their community physically and financially, but some of us can use help in other ways.
Many of us are lonely, especially during the holidays. Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for quite a few, there are reasons why it might not feel like it. Perhaps it is a new loneliness because a loved one is no longer with us this year or our children have all grown and moved away. Or maybe it is a long-standing loneliness – you’re single and never had any children to begin with, or you are now, because of age or illness, at home alone. Maybe even the stress of a large gathering or loud party just seems too much for you and you choose to be physically alone.
Whether we choose to be alone or not, none of us wants to feel lonely, but research tells us that somewhere between 30-50% of us do feel lonely at Christmas. That’s a lot of people, so ironically, you are not alone. So what are some things we can do to combat this holiday (or even long-term) loneliness?
1.
Think ahead about when you may be alone for an extended time so you can take a little control and see where to schedule errands or shopping, trying not to have more than a couple days when you are not around other people.
2.
Reach out to others. Chances are, you know someone who is as lonely as you. Greet a neighbor, call an old friend, even write a letter.
Surprisingly, Gen Z’ers (18–24 year-olds) and single adults reported the most loneliness – even more than elderly people. So whatever age you are, don’t assume younger people have all kinds of friends. Invite one over for a simple dinner and you may both enjoy yourselves more than you thought.
3.
If you are able, go volunteer somewhere. Many groups look for help around the holidays for their big outreaches – soup kitchens, food banks, caroling at care facilities, etc. You may find others who are alone at these events and find camaraderie there as well.
4.
If none of these are available options for you, you still don’t need to be alone on Christmas. The whole point of the holiday is celebrating the fact that Jesus, the Son of God, came from heaven to become one of us, live a perfect life, then die and come back from the dead so that He can live with us and in us, now and for eternity. Emmanuel, God with us. If you are a believer, you have a friend with you at all times. If you are not yet a believer, God loves you, wants to save you, and live with you forever.
If you are one of the fortunate ones who will not be alone on Christmas, look around at church, at work, your apartment building, or wherever you may be. Do you see someone who might need someplace to go? Is there at least an event you can share with them and then a cup of coffee afterward? Christmas may or may not be the most wonderful time of the year, but it is a celebration of one of the most wonderful events of all time. Share it with others.
For more thought-provoking topics, tune in to Hope 100.7.
God bless you. Stay hopeful! ❤️
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