A Blue Christmas

Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. For millions it is. There is another group of people who will endure this Christmas season through many tears and great sorrow. This will be a blue Christmas for them. It is a sad reminder of happier times in light of a new and painful reality.

There are widows and widowers that will have to brave this Christmas for the first time without their soul mate. Soldiers were killed in combat. Spouses finally were taken by cancer or other diseases. Others died in car accidents or some other tragedy. The grief is overwhelming at times. The tears flow steadily. While others will gather around family sharing love and laughter these grieving will try to appear happy in public while living with a gaping hole in their hearts. It will be a blue Christmas.

There are others who have survived the death of their spouse for years even decades. While the calendar dawns new days and new years the pain and tears remain. Christmas is a lonelier and sadder time these days.  Beautiful memories are faded through blue hearts and tears of sadness. They endure blue Christmas days. While others have forgotten the grief remains years after the fact. Christmas is still blue.

There are parents who will have a blue Christmas over the death of a child. The echoes of laugher still linger of the dear departed child. Instead of joy this season brings low spirits.

Children will weep as they endure this first blue Christmas without their mom or dad. Christmas will never be the same for them. Fond memories remain of moms and dads around the Christmas tree or dinner table for festive Christmas mornings. They are a little less festive these days.

There are others who have lost jobs or are facing financial setbacks. The financial pressures of Christmas do not make this a happy season but a stressful and despondent one. While the wealthy bask in abundance many  presents piled high around the tree other parents will go to bed tonight very blue because they cannot afford to bless their children with gifts. The pressures mount as well as the depression. The thought of a barren Christmas tree keeps them awake at night.

There are parents facing the new reality of the empty nest. Kids are scattered with their new families all over the country. Nobody will come home this year. They will endure a blue Christmas this year.

This is just a simple reminder that the baby in the manger is also the loving Shepherd who knows very well the condition of His flock. He knows those who grieve. He will be there each minute of every day this Christmas season and beyond. He promises He will never leave you or forsake you. He will be there in the bluest times.