Posted on by sofiaseekerofgod

A Lonely Christmas

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 (NIV)

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Lonely is a frequently mentioned word in the therapy room when referring to Christmas, and especially this year, as many are separated from loved ones due to the pandemic. Depression and anxiety, the unwelcome twins who tend to visit around the holidays are extra obnoxious guests this year. The loss of community and family celebrations this year, as well as ongoing isolation, loss and fear is widespread. This has caused me to ponder what solitude and even loneliness can do to deepen our experience of God.

The pictures my mind paints to match the profound moments where human and God meet seem to be solitary events. The Annunciation, Moses on Mt. Sinai, Elijah in the cave, Jesus in the desert, and John the Baptist in the wilderness are just a few of the people who had powerful encounters with God while alone. In addition, many of the saints throughout history had life changing experiences while either alone or lonely. Even the events surrounding the Nativity seem to take place in remote, lonely places–fields and stables.

It seems that being alone removes our distractions from God, if we allow it. Humans are adept at distracting themselves away from painful or difficult feelings, it’s both a survival skill and a block to growth. However, it is loneliness, suffering and even pleasant solitude that pushes open a space in our souls for God to enter in powerful ways that are transformative. While we are alone, maybe we can set a space for God to join us, and this Guest will bring us a gift of joy and peace that our distractions would never allow us to have.

Posted on by sofiaseekerofgod

The Light that Came into the World

Light has come into the world. John 3:19a (NIV)

As a therapist I frequently see that the darkness of winter often matches the darkness of thought that can visit during the Christmas season. Many hours are spent in the therapy office every year exploring loneliness, sadness, depression, anxiety, grief and disappointment. While these experiences are real and legitimate, they can be intensified by an over focus on other people’s choices and behavior. The over- emphasis on family during the holidays is a huge factor in Christmas misery.

It is as if our hearts are silently waiting for a quiet but spectacular event. When we put that expectation on Santa, or family, friends or parties we end up with a sense of hollowness, even if these things are good. There is a divine expectation that can only be met by the appearance of the divine.

I think of the most sacred Christmas experiences in my life and they were all between God and I. Sometimes they occurred as I watched snow fall on a deepening night sky and was reminded of the silence that shrouded the miracle of God coming to the world in a humble form. Sometimes I am sitting in the candlelight of a worship service and imagining shepherds and angels and the feelings they had that something spectacular has happened.

My heart leaps for joy when I ponder the mystery of numinous Light coming into the world in a smelly little stable. Meditating on this amazing event and its significance is creates such joy it helps us understand why whatever expectations about other things we might have or want for the holidays are a disappointment in comparison.