I have a small confession to make…I have not been very joyful today. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, but I was anything but. Sadly, I have waited until the last minute to finish my Christmas shopping this year. Life simply got in the way, and I never seemed to find the time to get it all done.

So, here I am on December 23 – scavenging the stores for those last minute gifts and stocking stuffers. The day began rather well, and I was actually feeling pretty good about my attitude. But, as the day went on – the crowd grew, and my attitude quickly changed. You see – shopping is always a chore for me. I’m not a shopper. Yes – I’m a woman, but shopping is just not my thing. If I could buy everything online, I would, but it’s just not that easy sometimes. Secondly, I’m very claustrophobic – especially in crowds. So, what does NON SHOPPER + CROWD CLAUSTROPHOBIA + DECEMBER 23 SHOPPING equal? An almost MELTDOWN!!! Keep in mind, I said almost. Whenever I felt I was on the verge, I created a series of mental images of my family on Christmas morning opening their stockings and gifts in a warm home with plenty of food to eat. On the other side of that image was a starving and thirsting child in Africa that I could easily picture from my years of following the African hunger plight. This child will more than likely never experience anything remotely close to a Christmas morning experienced all over the developed world. Then, I was ashamed that I allowed myself to get all bent out of shape over having to shop on December 23 when I should feel privileged to even have the resources to begin with. With the meltdown quickly averted, I went about the little “chore” a bit longer. It wouldn’t take long before those anxious feelings would creep back up, and then I would force those contrasting mental images to reappear. This went on all day long. But, you know what? It worked! I made it successfully through the day. I finished my shopping (minus one little item that I will go after early tomorrow morning). And besides…the shopping is certainly not what CHRISTmas is about anyway.

Some people aren’t so cheerful this season. And…I’m not just talking about those that choose to carry a Bah Humbug personality in general. I’m talking about people in which circumstances have caused Christmas to possibly be less than joyful. Believe me, I know from personal experience that the holidays can actually be very circumstantially depressing. For some, this may be the first season without a loved one – by death or by divorce or even through some other manner. For others, this may be a first Christmas season with a terminal illness or the last holiday to share with loved ones unless a miracle occurs. Others are saddened with the truth of not having an income with which to bless others with gifts. Whatever the circumstances, whatever the cause, and regardless of the reasons – for some, this Christmas is painful.

For our family, we’re experiencing the first Christmas with my mother in a nursing home. This has been a difficult adjustment not only for us but also for my mother. She’s afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease, and it has unfortunately debilitated her to the point that she needs assistance with the most basic of day-to-day needs. Sadly, however, her physical state and her mental state are in two different places. She’s only in her early sixties but has the body of one in his/her late eighties/early nineties. While visiting with her a couple times this week, I observed how many individuals and churches stop and do things for nursing home residents. She’s received poinsetties, gifts, baskets of goodies, cards, etc. It brings me joy to see others bringing her joy.

Several years ago, I was a single mom. Christmas was especially difficult. Decorating the tree only brought back memories of the ornaments I no longer had. Shopping was extremely stressful, because I always worried how far I could stretch a dollar and still give my daughter a decent Christmas. Some years, I had to simply leave home to be able to spend Christmas with friends to keep my mind off the reality of my situation. However, there was always someone that stood in the gap for me in those years. Maybe they prayed on my behalf or provided food to help with our Christmas dinner. I anonymously received gift cards several times that helped with my Christmas shopping. All in all, as difficult as the holiday was at times, it was the help of friends and even strangers that made it so much more bearable and even joyful.

I encourage you to seek out someone to bless this Christmas. Do you know a single parent family that you could invite over for Christmas dinner? How about someone recently widowed that you could take to church with you? Is there someone that you could provide reprieve for that has been sitting with a family member in the hospital that could benefit from a few hours away for rest? Will you be the hands and feet of Jesus as we celebrate His birth? Watch how much you will be blessed as you bless others.