It's no secret that celebratory seasons like Advent and Christmas often amplify feelings of loss, emptiness, and grief. The season's lights, songs, festivities, and cheer place our sorrows and their sources in stark relief. It's easy to feel emotionally isolated and alone even in crowded rooms when surrounded by others whose experience of the holidays seems so different from ours.

For this and similar reasons, the writer of Hebrews reminds us, "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." Given Jesus' sympathy and share in our suffering, the author extends this invitation by the Holy Spirit: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16). Jesus is truly our Emmanuel, God with us - and for us.

This world can be a very sad place, but Christmas is the good news that Jesus is making all things new (Revelation 21:5). It's not always going to be this way.

God loves you. We love you. Let us know if we can pray for or otherwise come alongside you this holiday season.