But not everybody is happy at Christmas. And that's okay. Sometimes grief lingers at Christmas. Sometimes Christmas reminds us of loss. Sometimes Christmas reminds us of empty chairs. Sometimes Christmas reminds us of the things we can't do any more. Sometimes Christmas reminds us of the physical disabilities that restrain us. Sometimes Christmas hurts. Sometimes Christmas makes us sad.
We need to remember the hurting this Christmas, those suffering loss, those who are discouraged and depressed, those who are ill. Christmas is not a naturally cheery season for them. And then we need to encourage them in joy. That doesn't mean we play "Jingle Bells" until their ears bleed or tell them Santa jokes until they proffer a conciliatory chuckle. We don't necessarily try to cheer them up; we encourage them to seek their joy in the Lord. We model that and we love them and we point them to Jesus.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
Only in Christ do we see joy. Only because of Christmas can we say, "Joy to the world."
Image Credit: https://eclecticopiners.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/sad_santa.jpg