One of the ironic things about holidays is that in the midst of all the joy and excitement some people struggle with depression and other feelings of sadness. It may be due to the loss of a loved one who will not be part of the holiday celebration. It could be the result of finances that do not allow for gift giving. We could probably make a long list of possible causes and still not include everything, but the end result is that the holidays can be a time of tremendous sadness for a lot of people.
This is a time to bring messages of hope and comfort to the people in your churches. This can be done through the messages that are preached, the decorations that fill the church buildings, and the special personal things that are done. The Christmas season is a wonderful time to make sure the widowed, the ill, those in assisted living homes, and others in your church are touched by as many people from your church as possible. Perhaps a family with small children can "adopt" a senior citizen who is alone for the holidays. A family that is struggling financially will greatly appreciate some assistance from their church family during the holiday season. I can remember a couple of Christmases when our church provided all the Christmas dinners and gifts for some families in our congregation that were struggling financially. Please don't forget the families of your service men and women either during the holiday season. This can be an especially tough time for them.
The Christmas story is one of hope and joy, and your messages should reflect that. Lead your congregation in the celebration of the birth of the Savior of the world, and do so in both word and deed. It will make Christmas brighter for you as well as for those you touch.
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