Focus On The Heart Of Christmas...

The closer it gets to Christmas, the more our hearts can ache. Lights, music, and celebrations can feel like a contrast to the emptiness, grief, or longing we carry. It is normal to feel sadness, frustration, or even guilt for not feeling “joyful enough.”

The first thing to remember is that feeling this way does not make you weak or faithless. Jesus Himself experienced deep sorrow. He wept, grieved, and carried burdens. Our hearts are allowed to feel deeply, even during seasons that the world calls “merry.”

One way to handle this season is to intentionally create space for your feelings. You do not have to force joy. You can acknowledge your grief, pray through it, and let God hold it for you. Sometimes writing down your feelings, talking with someone you trust, or quietly sitting with God can bring relief. Even lighting a candle, listening to soft music, or reading Scripture can provide a gentle anchor for your soul.

Another way is to focus on the heart of Christmas. Beyond gifts, parties, and traditions, Christmas is about God coming near, about Emmanuel. He understands loneliness, sorrow, and brokenness because He entered a world that carried all of it. Leaning into Him, reflecting on His presence and love, can bring peace even when joy feels distant.

It’s also okay to protect your energy. If certain gatherings, songs, or social media triggers make the ache worse, it is not sinful to step back. Give yourself permission to grieve, to remember, and to simply survive the season. Sometimes the best thing you can do is show yourself the same kindness God shows you.

Finally, find small ways to bring light into your own heart and the lives of others. Acts of kindness, reaching out to someone who may be struggling, or quietly serving without expectation can create moments of connection and purpose even when your own joy feels dim.

Remember, this season does not demand that you feel happy all the time. It only invites you to let God meet you where you are, in your sadness, your hope, your memories, and your longing.

Prayer: God, this season is hard for me. My heart feels heavy, and the world’s cheer feels far away. Meet me in this sadness. Hold the parts of me that ache. Help me to feel Your presence even when joy feels distant. Teach me to be gentle with myself and to trust that You are near, Emmanuel, with me in every sorrow and every hope. Amen.

- Ellie Mont

How Can I Experience Joy In My Christian Life?

Joy is something we all long for but that often seems difficult to grab hold of. Experiencing joy should be a part of every Christian’s life. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, produced by God’s work in us, and it is part of God’s will for us.

We know that even the most mature of God’s people experience periods of joylessness. For instance, Job wished he had never been born (Job 3:11). David prayed to be taken away to a place where he would not have to deal with reality (Psalm 55:6-8). Elijah, even after defeating 450 prophets of Baal with fire called down from heaven (1 Kings 18:16-46), fled into the desert and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:3-5). If these men struggled, how can we experience consistent joy in the Christian life?

The first thing is to realize that joy is a gift from God. The root word for joy in the Greek is chara, which is closely related with the Greek charis for “grace.” Joy is both a gift of God as well as a response to the gifts of God. Joy comes when we are aware of God’s grace and relish His favor.

With this in mind, it’s evident that one way to experience joy is to focus on God. Rather than dwelling on our difficulties or those things robbing our contentment, we can dwell on God. This is not to say we should deny our discontent or stuff negative emotions. Following the example of many of the psalmists, we can pour out our hearts to God. We can tell Him bluntly all the things that ail us. But then we submit those things to Him, remember who He is, and are happy in Him. Psalms 3, 13, 18, 43, and 103 are good examples.