One of the most common difficulties around the holidays is loneliness, and, in a season of increased isolation, loneliness may be even more felt this year. Interestingly, the season of Advent uniquely speaks to the struggle of loneliness, both as we look back to the first coming of Christ and also look forward to his second coming.
The case could be made that Jesus is the loneliest human being to have ever walked the earth. What must it have been like for him to live a perfectly sinless life around everyone else who sinned all the time? Imagine how odd he must have seemed to others, and imagine how difficult it would have been for him to relate to others at times. Certainly he would have been misunderstood and perhaps even made fun of. How comforting that one of the ways that Jesus can fully identify with us is as one who has walked the path of loneliness.
Not only can Jesus identify with our loneliness, but one day, when he returns, he will end all loneliness forever for those whose faith is in him. Though even the best of relationships can let us down now, in eternity we will dwell with each other in perfect relationships. Not only will we be reunited with friends and family who have placed their faith in Christ, but we will never again be forgotten or left out. Loneliness, like every other aspect of the curse, will be a thing of the past.
As some of us walk through the pain of loneliness this season, may we remember that Christ is with us in our pain and can fully identify with it. Furthermore, may we remember that one of the greatest promises of eternity is the ultimate end of all loneliness. Finally, may we be on the lookout this holiday season for those who may be lonely and offer a prayer or encouraging word, always being mindful that we are the body of Christ and are intended to be a tangible way for others to experience him, until one day we see him face to face.