You’ve heard it before . . . for some people, the holidays can be the loneliest time of the year. In 2020, with isolation more prevalent than ever due to Covid, this particular Christmas season can feel like piling on. I heard from someone this week who, sadly, spent Thanksgiving apart from family for the first time in their life; an all-too-common phenomenon I fear.
God hardwired us for community, for personal encounters, which is one of the reasons why increased isolation is particularly hard right now. However, we can draw inspiration from Scripture surrounding the birth of Christ. The first two chapters of Matthew & Luke provides several instances of those alienated, isolated, or lonely encountering a personal touch from God. Here are a few examples (there are more):
Joseph reeling after hearing about Mary’s pregnancy and contemplating “divorcing her quietly”
Shepherds isolated in the fields
The elderly Simeon and Anna, a widow, who had waited many years at the temple to see the coming Messiah
You’ll remember how God intervened supernaturally in each case either through angelic or human encounters to communicate His presence and purposes. What a marvelous, thoughtful, caring God we have!
Perhaps God wants to use you during this season to reach out to someone who needs a personal touch. perhaps the Holy Spirit will bring to mind someone you haven’t seen in a while, someone who lost a loved one this year, someone who’s struggling or just lonely. Would you be willing to listen for the Comforter’s promptings? You may not be able to meet them face to face, but a note, a phone call, a text, or maybe even a small gift could be the means by which God communicates His care through you!
May it be “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!”
~~ Tim Thomassian