A Broken Christmas Spirit

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18 (ESV)

Christmas is a time of joy for many. The lights on the houses instill wonder in the eyes of a young child. The smell and warmth of the fireplace bring comfort and fond memories. But not all find joy in this season. For one reason or another, many are dealing with a broken spirit and a broken heart. This may be someone's first Christmas without a loved one due to either a death, divorce, breakup, or because someone has moved away for one reason or another.

There may be some traditions that are tied to someone who is no longer there. In doing these things, the action or thought can cause deep emotional pain because the tradition and the person are tied so closely together through a mental association. If you find yourself in this situation, the pain is a critical moment to come to God in prayer. In this broken spirit, we offer a sacrifice to God (Ps 51:17). He will not despise the one who cries to Him in desperation.

If you know someone who is going through this deep pain this season, remind them daily that they are not alone. You may be tempted to think, 'They have plenty of friends, so I bet someone else has reached out to them already,' and then not reach out because of that thought. More often that not, if you are the one who has them in your heart, then you have been chosen to be the one to reach out.

I remember a time that I saw a show at the Texas Renaissance Festival. One of the performers announced there would be people walking around with a basket for tips. He said, "You may be thinking, 'I don't need to tip, somebody else will do it.' But for someone else, you are the someone else." I always remembered that, because we tend to leave responsibility to the other person, thinking someone else will do what we ourselves have been called to do.

If someone is brokenhearted and in a season of loneliness, and you happen to think about them, then you are the "someone else" who needs to reach out. I have a friend who was going through a difficult season of loss, and I reached out to them to say I was thinking about them, praying for them, and wanted to check in on them. They were incredibly grateful, because they hadn't heard from very many people over the course of a month or two. This was surprising, because I know for a fact that they have a tremendous circle of friends.

It hurt knowing how lonely they must have felt. They had people checking on them early in their grieving, but over time fewer people were reaching out to check on them. Grief is not a wound that heals quickly. They may say they are okay one week, but the next week the weight may be much heavier. Do not assume that everything is okay simply because they have not reached out for help. They may have stopped because they began to feel like a burden. If someone is on your mind, reach out.

If you are going through a painful season, I want you to know that you are not alone in your pain. God is close to you as you hold your broken heart. He is there to save your crushed spirit. And there is always someone who is willing to listen and offer a safe space for you to share your hurts and burdens. Let me offer a prayer for those with broken hearts and crushed spirits during this Christmas season.

Father God,

I ask that You would draw near to those with broken hearts. I ask that You would save the crushed in spirit. In this season that is meant for joy, I ask that You would bring Your comfort and joy to those who are suffering and mourning. Bring them people who will remind them that they are loved and still have a purpose. Remind them of Your love for them: that You have sent Your Son to become flesh, to live a perfect life, to die on the cross for our sins, and to be raised to life that we may be raised to life.

Bring peace this holiday season. Remind us of the hope we have in Jesus. Make us to be agents of love and grace to a dark world in desperate need. In Jesus' name I ask these things.

Amen.

Non Nobis Nati