16/12/2025
Christmas is a season filled with joy and hope, but for many it can also bring a quiet ache. When a loved one is no longer here, their absence can feel even more present, especially if this is your first Christmas without them. The season can feel heavy and lonely in ways others may not see. In times like these, faith reminds us that God is near to the broken-hearted, offering comfort, peace, and strength as you walk through the season.
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This Christmas, it’s important to be gentle with our expectations for those who are grieving. They may not be able to do everything they normally would during the season, and that’s okay. While we may hope to see them coping or moving forward, grief doesn’t follow a timeline. In these moments, we can trust that God is near, offering comfort, patience, and strength as they navigate the season in their own way.
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It’s also okay to allow yourself moments of joy. Enjoying the season doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten your loved one or that your grief has ended. Through it all, God is near, offering comfort, strength, and the gentle reminder that it’s possible to carry love and loss together, trusting Him to guide your heart through this season (Romans 8:38-39).
If you know someone who is grieving this Christmas, reach out to them. Give them a call, send a thoughtful card, or invite them over for a quiet get-together. Gently acknowledge their loss and speak the name of their loved one. Let them know you understand this season may be especially hard, with memory triggers everywhere. The missing face, the empty chair, the quiet thoughts of how Christmas used to be. Remind them that God is near to those who have a broken heart (Psalm 34:18), offering comfort, peace, and hope. Even in the midst of grief, His love surrounds them and carries them through the season.
