Is Christmas Depressing?

Well, Halloween and Thanksgiving are over and the holiday season is in full swing.  We’ve had our “Turkey Day Sales,” “Black Friday Sales,” and “Cyber Monday” will be here tomorrow.  But, in spite of all the gifts we’ve purchased and deals we’ve gotten for ourselves, so many of us still feel empty and depressed during the entire holiday season.  I’ve been thinking about this… Why is it that so many Americans…even good “church attending” folk, often feel lonely, isolated, and troubled during the holidays? 

Could it be that we look at our lives in juxtaposition to what the Christmas cards show and feel our experience is falling short?  That charming, isolated, snow covered cabin full of gorgeous decorations and a beautiful roaring fire, seems to mock our everyday struggles to pay the bills, failures at making every one of our family and friends completely delighted with gifts we can’t afford, and the unshakeable worries of everyday life.  After all, when the holidays happen during days of hard times, trials, and tough decisions, they can be downright depressing. 

Instead of spending Thanksgiving being thankful for what God has given us we spend the day over-eating and planning our over-spending, leaving us with another year of under-living.  No wonder Christmas is depressing! 

Every Christmas my mother and sisters write annual poems.  It’s a fun way for them to inform us of their doings while giving a cheerful spin on the season.  In that tradition I want to give you a Christmas poem – but with a completely different intent.  

Let’s stop for a moment and re-think the reason for the season and God’s interest in our lives.  If you’re having trials and tribulations perhaps it’s time to ask yourself what God is trying to tell you this Christmas. 

If you don’t know Him personally, perhaps it’s time.  Nothing depressing about the grace of God given in the person of Jesus coming to take away your sin! 

If you are a Christian and having a hard time perhaps God has special plans for you during the tests of this season. 

It’s in this spirit that I offer a poem.  I found it on the internet and have taken liberties with its content – I hope the unknown author is not offended.  I’ve made the poem my own.  It expresses my feelings for each of you this Christmas and for the year beyond. 

 

The Valleys:

Author unknown – an internet poem
Rewritten by Len Allen

Sometimes life is hard to bear, full of sorrows, trials, and woe.

It’s then that I remember – it’s in the valleys that I grow!

 If I always stayed on mountain tops and never lived with pain,

I would not grasp the love of God and life would be in vain.

I do not always understand why things happen as they do,

But one thing in my life is sure – my Lord will see me through.

Yes, Jesus’ birth was glorious but He came for harder stuff,

He came to die for all my sins, and isn’t that enough?

My little valleys don’t seem so bad, when I see Christ upon the cross.

How He suffered in that awful pain, His victory – Satan’s loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining when I’m feeling very low.

Just give me a reminder; it’s in the valleys that I grow!

Continue to strengthen me Oh Lord, and use my life each day,

To share Your love with others and help them find their way.

I have so much to learn about and my growth is very slow.

Sometimes I need the mountain tops, but it’s in the valleys that I grow!

When celebrating Christmas cheer leaves me feeling sad and low,

Christ is with me in the valleys and it’s His Joy that I know!  

Thank you for the valleys, Lord. Strength and grace you do bestow,

The mountain tops are glorious, but it’s in the valleys that I grow!

 

Merry Christmas and blessed 2013….    A year of valleys – a year of Joy!

 Think about it….