When Christmas is not easy

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

– Isaiah 61:1-3, The Bible

Are you dreading this week? Wondering how to get through this Christmas feeling stressed, poor, depressed, grieving, doubting, angry? Not everyone feels like celebrating. And that’s OK.

Rachelle at Magpie Girl wrote a great post last week, entitled Blue Christmas, with advice and tips for how to get through the season if you are struggling.

“Sometimes your family is overseas,
or your grandfather just died,
or your child is in the hospital,
or you’ve been horribly sick and you just aren’t up for celebrating.

Sometimes it’s a blue, blue Christmas.”

Read more here.