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Weekly Magazine | When Christmas Hurts—Finding Joy Amid Grief

Weekly Magazine | When Christmas Hurts—Finding Joy Amid Grief

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Just Between Us magazine
Dec 11, 2024
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Weekly Magazine | When Christmas Hurts—Finding Joy Amid Grief
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Dear Friends,

For many, the holiday season is a time of joy and celebration. But for those experiencing loss or hardship, Christmas can bring a unique kind of heartache. This week, we are focusing on finding Christmas joy even in the midst of grief. Whether you’re facing personal loss or walking alongside someone who is, we hope these articles will bring comfort, encouragement, and practical ways to navigate this difficult season.

As you read, we invite you to reflect on how God’s presence brings peace and hope, even in life’s most painful seasons. The story of Jesus’ birth—Emmanuel, "God with us"—reminds us that we are never alone. His light shines into the darkness, offering joy and healing, even when the holidays feel heavy.

We pray that these words bring solace to your heart and inspire you to extend God’s love to those who are hurting this Christmas.

With love and encouragement in God’s truth,

When Christmas Hurts | Finding Joy Amid Grief
Discover how the story of Christ’s birth offers hope and peace, even in the most painful seasons of life.
Read More

How to Cope with Grief During the Holidays
Grieving this Christmas? Learn practical ways to process your grief, honor your loved ones, and find healing through God’s love.
Read More

Supporting Those Who Are Hurting This Christmas
Equip yourself with biblical wisdom and thoughtful tips for bringing comfort and joy to those who are facing loss or hardship this season.
Read More

Song “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant
May this song uplift your spirit and encourage you to find God’s light, even in times of difficulty.
Listen

When Christmas Hurts | Finding Joy Amid Grief

By: Sharon Vaught

I love the Christmas story, but my personal experience with Christmas has been, well, terrible. I call it the Christmas curse.

I grew up in a ministry family where Christmas meant that my father would be extra busy at church. We were never able to go to Christmas activities or even attend Christmas Eve service together. I told myself that when I got married, I would find a guy whose job didn’t take him away during Christmas. Fast forward 15 years, I married a UPS man who works 70 hours a/week during the Christmas season. God has a sense of humor!

THE CHRISTMAS CURSE

I’m not kidding about the Christmas curse. There have been countless illnesses. The worst came when my mom, brother, and I all got the most miserable flu of our lives. It was so bad that I called my dad to say, “Goodbye. I love you. I won’t be here when you get home because I am going to be with Jesus.” He told me I was being ridiculous and to go back to bed. That was just before I threw up so many times that I passed out and hit my head on a table. When I came to, I had emptied my bucket on myself and was bleeding from my head. I still have not lived that Christmas down.

And how could I ever forget my first Christmas Eve as a homeowner? Suddenly, a giant windstorm ripped the roof off the house. I was seven months pregnant, and we spent the entire Christmas Day covering our roof with ugly tarps, which stayed for months until it was warm enough to install a new roof.

Last Christmas, we were excited for our first Christmas Eve service together as a whole family. I got the kids dressed in their beautiful Christmas clothes. We only made it through two songs before our youngest, Lydia, projectile vomited all over. We hurried home, where two more family members were hit by the same bug within hours.

The craziest Christmas curse came when I got hit by a flying Christmas tree—a flying Christmas tree—while driving down the interstate. The tree got stuck in the grill of my car. Thank the Lord there was no real damage, but the mechanic found tinsel under the hood at my next oil change and had some questions for me.

CHRISTMAS GRIEF

Christmas Eve is also an unwelcome anniversary to some significant losses in my life. In college, I got the news that my grandmother passed away on Christmas Eve and had to quickly change my holiday plans to come home. A couple years later, I had to walk through the tragic murder of a dear friend who was killed on Christmas Eve while she was on duty as a police officer.

Maybe you are like me and Christmas is difficult for you, too. Maybe this is your first Christmas without a loved one, or the children are far away, or money is tight, and the stress is overwhelming. Or maybe illness is consuming you. One thing that has helped me find the joy in Christmas again is going back to the basics of the Christmas story.

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