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by Ami Samuels

This is the time of the year when we enjoy bright lights, children’s laughter, and the scents of the season. Do sweets tempt your tongue? Are you surrounded with family and friends?

Why of course - it IS the most wonderful time of the year, isn’t it?

You know what? My heart is heavy for the people who aren’t having a holly, jolly Christmas season. My thoughts are with those people who are hurting, lonely, or who are ill. It can be difficult getting into the Christmas spirit if you are mourning the loss of a loved one, a marriage, or a job. Maybe the house is decorated and the tree is up and you gaze at a seat where your loved one once sat and your heart is filled with sadness.

We find encouragement in Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.” Even when our lives change and we feel all alone we can rest assured that God is with us and He will never leave us.

Maybe right now as you’re reading this, you are blessed and life is going well. Spend some time in prayer thanking God and recognizing your blessings. Look around you and reach out to those people who are all alone, hurting, and struggling. The holidays can be very hard when you don’t have family close. Including others who are far away from loved ones can be a blessing to them.

We can also send cards of encouragement, take them Christmas shopping, check in on them, give them a call, or take them out for coffee. It is important to let people know that we love them, care about them, and support them.

In either case, we can start a gratitude journal listing 5 things that we are grateful for each day. This helps us remember how fortunate we are and it can take our focus off of what we have lost and place it on what we still have.

This holiday season I would like to wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

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