This Blessed Season of Contradictions: Part One

How can I call the Christmas Season a Season of contradictions? There are s-o-o-o many people that suffer through this Season. I’m not just talking about the people who really don’t have very many – or any – material possessions, albeit that is cause for generosity and good will.

I’m talking about the people that suffer from depression and feelings of utter loneliness throughout the weeks of Christmas. You can have all the money and possessions you want, yet for those that are alone in this Season of family get-togethers and friendship, it is almost a torture to have to live through.

Now don’t get me wrong! You can be alone and yet be happy with your life. It is just a very difficult thing to do. You might come across a person who, on the outside, is smiling and chatty and all a-glow, yet on the inside, there is a crushing sense of “I don’t belong” and “I’m really all alone!”. That is a heartache that many ARE able to hide, and the ones that hide it well are the ones suffering the greatest feelings of “empty”. And the worst of it is those that DO have family – yet are astranged from said family, for one reason or another, and won’t see them at all. That is yet another crushing blow to the heart in this Season. There are so many who do suffer – and suffer in silence.

So where is the contradiction? The contradiction is in this season of good will, family gatherings, and visits to/from friends which make you smile, laugh and bubble over; even celebrating the more important reason for the Season, the birth of the baby Jesus, still might not be enough for some people to stumble through the weeks. These people are sad, alone, even devastated. THAT’S the contradition.

There is something I want you to think about the next time you say “I’m all alone”. Stop and really think: “Am I really alone? Is there really no one in my life to call and/or talk to?” and if you find even one person who is in your life, then you are NOT alone. “Alone” is when there is no one you can phone to talk this through; no one to call for coffee; no one to go visit or come to visit you; and most of all, if you are surrounded by people yet not one of them would sit and have a heart-to-heart with you, there is nothing worse than being alone in a crowd.

So, the next time you come across someone who just wants to “shoot the breeze” with you, remember: you may be the ONLY one in that person’s life who listens – really listens. If you are busy bustling about, going to and fro, count your blessings – and say a prayer for all those people who are having a very difficult time in the Season of Blessings, family and friends.

Until next time,
Inge