By Karen Y. Stevens

 

Christmas is almost here, and I know all of you are very excited.  

You probably have most of your presents wrapped and under the tree; the mantel is probably loaded down with stockings and or Christmas bric-a-brac, and you are planning your menu for that feast you will have in your home, or somewhere else with loved ones.  

While six in 10 people say spending time with the family is one of the best things about Christmas, many will only be having a small celebration, rather than a large get-together.  

One in five adults will be spending this Christmas alone.  

You wouldn’t think that number so high.  My husband and I both, come from very large families, so we always have company.  

Psalms 127:3-5 talks about large families being a blessing and I can see why.  No matter if your siblings get on your nerves, (and they do!), you get just as much pleasure knowing them, and being around them.  

The Bible talks about Jesus at least having 4 half-brothers, and some half-sisters.  Talk about your dysfunctional, and our blended family! (Jesus had a different Dad and all).  I’m sure Jesus’s siblings pestered Him, as He was growing up, but what a blessing those brothers turned out to be.  

Which I’m sure, was the influence of Jesus Himself for their wisdom, and greatness.  

Some people are not as blessed with a lot of family members, and this time of year magnifies loneliness to those that are alone.  We should go out of our way to include people who appear to be alone, but we should not make them more uncomfortable by inviting them to our soiree and finishing it up with, “you don’t want to be by yourself”.  

People have all sorts of reasons why they don’t attend functions.  

I know a lot of times I get invited to something and I start telling myself, “I’m too tired, I have nothing to wear, I’m too fat which is why I have nothing to wear, I don’t want to be social, I might say something that will embarrass myself (this one happens a lot!), I’m having a bad hair week”, and the list goes on.  

I have members in my family that are introverts and prefer and or happy being by themselves, or with just one loved one.  Crowds tend to make them uncomfortable, including crowds of family members. That’s ok, we are all different. We should invite them and move on.  

The reason they say “Christmas is about giving” is because God gave His only son to us, to first teach us the ways of God, then die on a cross to save us.  If we remember that, then all the family, social gatherings, pomp, and circumstance, will all fall into place.

Even if you’re alone this Christmas, your really not.  You have your brother Jesus, your father God, and your comforter and guide; the Holy Spirit.  All the family members you will ever need.

Merry Christmas Orange County!

 

Karen Y. Stevens is the founder of the Orange County Christian Writers Guild