Christianity Oasis Forum

[LuvFlowsThruMe]

So many families around the world are celebrating Christmas together, it's tradition. It's been tradition for me, and at 37 years old I have never spent a Christmas without being around family and/or friends.

As Christmas approaches I am reminded that some who are accustomed to spending Christmas with family and friends will unfortunately be spending Christmas alone or differently for the first time this year. Perhaps due to death, divorce, separation, sickness, abandonment, abduction, incarceration, homelessness (on the street or in a shelter), and even voluntary isolation.

Some will be spending this Christmas maybe not alone but in a different environment for the first time. At a prison, nursing home, hospital, on the street, in a mental health facility or some other unfamiliar and uncomfortable place.

Either way for many people this will be a different first Christmas. They may have feelings of fear, doubt, loneliness, bitterness, and anger. Please remember these people in your prayers. Pray that God will comfort them and give them His peace.

Take that extra step beyond prayer and do something that may or may not be out of your comfort zone, for example if you know anyone spending Christmas alone or in a different environment for the first time this year:

** Bring dinner (cooked or uncooked)
** Bring a practical gift
** Invite someone/family over to celebrate with you/your family
** Call/Text/Email/Send a card just to let someone know you are thinking about them
** Take a couple of hrs to visit a shelter, nursing home, prison, the homeless on the street

I'm sure you can think of other ways to help others that are having a different Christmas this year. I'm aware that many of you already do this and some are in the position where all they can do is pray and God honors that. For those who are in the position to do more, I challenge you to do something different this year for someone in a different position this Christmas.

To those reading this who will be having a different Christmas for whatever reason, I want you to know that God loves you and cares for you. I want you to know that I love and care for you too. I also put the challenge out to you. Maybe this will be your first different Christmas you can also help be a support to those also having a first different Christmas.

You may have already set in your mind, I'm going to be alone, this is going to be a terrible Christmas etc.. speak by faith and act.. faith without works is dead. If there's something you can do to have a better different Christmas, like Nike.. Just Do It... for some I know this is easier said than done... just remember that with God all things are possible.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

[Mackenaw]

Hello LuvFlowsThruMe

What a beautiful message, thank you.

Thank You Holy Spirit.

Thank you for the encouragement, and for sharing His love with me.

May you have a wonderful day of celebration of our Lord's birth.

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Sister Mack

[sbennett]

What an awesome post Luv Flows. God is using you to help others and to remind us of those around us that are hurting or alone. I have a dear friend who will spend another Christmas alone and I hate it for him. Several of us who are his friends call and txt him all during the day. I pray for him and for others like him.

Again thanks for the reminder...and God Bless you this Christmas.

[LuvFlowsThruMe]

AMEN my sisters.. I pray you both have a blessed and wonderful Christmas...