I’ve heard it said the Christmas season can be one of the loneliest times of the year. If a loved one has passed away, walked away from you by choice, or won’t be celebrating the holidays with you, it can feel unbearably lonely.

I find comfort in the Christmas story, not just because God loved us so much He sent us a Savior, but because when God sent us Jesus, He said we are to call His name Immanuel– God with us.

Not God who once lived before us. Not God whom we will some day be with. God with us NOW, and for all eternity. God wanted to dwell among us, so He sent His Son to walk among us, live among us, model before us a sinless life of absolute trust in His heavenly Father, and then die to bear the penalty of our sin so, once we repented, He could forever be with us throughout eternity.

That means there isn’t a day that goes by, that He is not with you, understanding you, guiding you, truly seeing you as no one else does.

Do you know Him in a way that fills your heart with joy and anticipation of spending each day with Him?

The busyness of the season can distract us from the One who longs for us to get alone with Him. And if you are feeling especially alone right now, this is your opportunity to grasp tighter to the relationship you have with Him and make it a very special Christmas season of honoring and spending worshipful time with Him.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy His presence is to spend a quiet morning on my back patio, reflecting on Him and all I have to be grateful for…even the situations in my life that are difficult to understand or navigate through at this time.  If it’s cold this time of year where you live, find the view from a window in your home and look out at God’s creation and begin to write down on a piece of paper or in a journal what you are thankful for. His Word says “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB). 

Dig deep and thank Him for EVERYTHING –especially the things that are difficult right now (like the loneliness you might feel this holiday season). When we show Him, by our gratitude, that we  trust Him and are thankful for all He is allowing and not allowing into our lives at this time, it touches His heart and draws us closer into a trusting relationship with Him.

On my gratitude list this time of year are these words:

• Thank You for another Christmas season, even though Mom won’t be able to spend it with us. Thank You that she can experience this season in Your presence, in all the glories of heaven.
• Thank You for the opportunity to visit Dad last week, even though his memory and his strength are failing rapidly. Thank You that when the time comes to say “goodbye” I know I will see him again in Your presence.
• Thank You for the warmth of my bed at night when it’s cold outside.
• Thank You for sending Jesus and Your Holy Spirit to ALWAYS be with me.

When the birth of Jesus was foretold in Isaiah 9:6, we were promised this about our coming Savior:

For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Do you realize you have–this Christmas–what every heart longs for? In a relationship with Jesus, you have:

• a Wonderful Counselor to guide you in the right direction when you call upon Him.
• a Mighty God who went to the grave and back to secure you as His own and will move heaven and earth to provide for you and protect you.
• an Eternal Father to make up for what you never had or don’t have any longer here on this earth.
• a Prince of Peace, who gives you His incomprehensible peace when you ask for it (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7).

Celebrate this season because of your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace who came to have a personal relationship with you and be the God who never leaves your side. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Hallelujah what a gift.

What aspect of your Savior’s love and presence do you long for or most appreciate this time of year? I’d love to hear it in the comment section below so I can be praying for you.

And for a closer relationship with the God who is with you, see my newest books, The New Loneliness, and The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God, both at incredibly low prices now on Amazon.