Christmas can be hard.
But it also can be good even when circumstances are difficult.
Life is filled with difficulties. The circumstances of life sometimes make any celebration–birthdays, holidays, etc–difficult. I remember so well as a teenager when someone close to me was killed in a traffic accident. I couldn’t get over the fact that life for most people went on. How could they be happy when we were so sad?
Those kind of events and the feelings associated with them make the holidays hard.
What should you do during difficult times?
First, worship the risen Christ. His story is the only story of hope for all human beings. While you may not be able to laugh through the holidays, you can worship through the holidays, knowing that God sent His Son to give us hope in the midst of difficult times.
Second, spend as much time as possible with other people. For the most part, once you get past your teenage years, Christmas celebrations are about Christ and the people around us. Don’t isolate yourself. Spend time with as many people as possible.
Third, take advantage of Christmas celebrations, especially those celebrations that exalt Christ and remind us of His birth.
For First Baptist Church, we will have Christmas music Friday, December 14, and Saturday, December 15. Our Christmas Eve worship is a very special time. Make sure you attend these or those close around you. Worshiping Christ and spending time in the company of others will be a blessing to you and to them.
Finally, designate yourself as the minister to other people. As much as you may be hurting, other people are hurting as well. Look for every opportunity to minister to hurting people.
One of the things I have learned is that when you seek to bless others, you will be blessed as well and possibly even more than you bless others.
May God bless you with a blessed time of worship and celebration.
Waylon Bailey is senior pastor of the First Baptist Church, Covington, and president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. This editorial first appeared on Bailey’s blog, which can be accessed here.
