This past Sunday I mentioned something that has always bugged me. At Christmas time we talk a lot about Mary, the angels, the shepherds, the wise men and Jesus (rightly so), but we often fail to mention Joseph. He was a player in the Christmas drama in a bigger way than we give him credit. I put it this way: Joseph is often the “forgotten one” in the Christmas story.
There are others who are the forgotten ones as well. I don’t mean for this to be a “downer” of a post, but I think it is really important to draw attention to the folks who are forgotten. We don’t mean to…I honestly believe that. Here is a partial list:
The shut-in.
The widow/widower spending their first Christmas alone.
The son/daughter who is “celebrating” their first Christmas without a parent.
The ones who have to work on Christmas day.
The parents who are spending Christmas without a child- maybe because of death, or even the military.
The one who is alone due to a divorce or shattered romance. This song addresses that pain. Yes, Floyd, it is. 🙂
The man/lady who is spending Christmas alone in a nursing home because they either have no family still living or have family who don’t care.
This past week I made it a point to talk to a man and his wife who had to bury his father within the past month. My words were something like this: “(__________) I know this is a tough time for you right now. When I buried my mother in 2004 that first Christmas was a tough one. I know you loved your dad and with him living in this town, it is even harder. I want you to know I will be praying for you, (wife) and the kids this year. And your mom. ” He thanked me and we moved on. But I was dead serious about it being a tough Christmas.
And if I can be really candid right now: my mom was a follower of Jesus to her very core. She puts me to shame when I sometimes think about it. We didn’t always agree…for sure. And knowing she is with Jesus is some comfort, but it would not have been very helpful for me to tell (__________) how good it is. It is one of those things you know in your head, but your heart has trouble wrapping itself around it.
May I make some suggestions? (Too bad I am anyway) 🙂
Try to keep your ears and eyes open to those who might be hurting.
What can you do to help? Spend some time them? Take something to them? Invite them over?
Send them a note telling them you are thinking and praying for them.
Offer to help them in some way. Not “call me if I am needed” (they won’t) but “what can I do for you right now?”
I’m leaving it open for your comments and suggestions. What would you add?
Holidays used to be times of such life for me. Those moments are so far in my rearview mirror that they no longer even seem real any more. It really sucks.
For some holidays are tough, without a doubt. Can you include someone else in your celebration?
Our church has spent time doing this. We ramp up our “turkey shoots” this time of year as ways to minister to people who wouldn’t normally come to church. We hear about a lot of needs. We have pancake breakfast we will deliver to folks on Christmas Day. But we can’t stop there. We have to be consistent.
now is a good time to reach out.
Good call, Bill. That’s what we’re called to do all year long, and with the holidays being as hard as they are on people there is no better time than now.
Me knowing that was going to be a Tommy James song and you addressing it before I could, makes me way to predictable… I’m the guy who laughs at his own jokes, often the only one…
May we use the heart our Father gave us to make someone smile and maybe even laugh this season. Thanks for the reminder, Bill.
Thanks Floyd. You are right. We are called to do it all year long. I feel bad for the nursing home people. Seems like the only time they hear from churches (caroling) is during Christmas. You and I are kindred spirits in the joke department. I am sometimes the only who gets, and therefore, laughs at my own jokes. Or they groan. but they don’t know real humor. 🙂
My heart is tender toward those parents of especially single daughters who have given up the comforts of home to take the gospel to those in remote places. I have already talked to one mother who will never be able to go visit her daughter in Africa due to health issues. This is their first Christmas without her.. it will be tough on the parents and the young women. And I think of my sweet mother who must endure another Christmas in the nursing home. Her room mate just died. I am calling my sister in law to stand in my place this year and go see her and give her hugs. I have a new neighbor who lost her husband and son in the last year…thinking she might need some peanut butter balls and a hug. Thanks Bill for the reminder to reach out of our own lives and give that smile.
You know people whom I talking about Betty. It is those folks we need to be reaching out to. I love that you see the need and reach out to meet it.
I wouldn’t add anything. What you say is why I like you. Because it’s not about you. It’s about what you can do for others. This Christmas I have decided to change the game plan and make it about me. What do I want? I want to go duck hunting in Arkansas.
And so…I am going Duck Hunting for the next couple weeks. Probably drink some whiskey, eat a few steaks, tell some off color jokes and generally enjoy myself.
And when I come back the first of the year I am going to continue to help build a teen homeless shelter, be involved in poverty issues, and help make happy whoever I can.
Have a great Holiday Season and best wishes for 2014. I think it is going to be the best year ever.
I am deeply honored you would say that Jeff. I do hope you have a safe hunting trip and I get to interact with you some more when you get back. I too look forward to 2014.