1. Acknowledge Reality (Opening Reflection)
Name the truth: not everyone is excited about Christmas.
Loss can include:
o Death of a loved one
o Divorce or broken relationships
o Estrangement from family
o Illness
o Financial hardship
o A life that looks nothing like it did last year
Key Thought:
Grief doesn’t disappear because it’s December.
2. Jesus Was Born Into Grief and Uncertainty
Mary faced misunderstanding.
Joseph faced fear and uncertainty.
Jesus was born under oppression, poverty, and threat.
Shortly after His birth, families were grieving (Matthew 2).
Biblical Truth:
God did not wait for a peaceful world to send His Son.
3. Emmanuel Means “God With Us”—Even Here
Not God instead of our pain.
Not God after our healing.
God with us in the middle of it.
Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:23
Reflection Point:
If God chose to come as a baby in a broken world, then He is not uncomfortable with
our broken seasons.
4. Permission to Grieve Without Guilt
You can love Jesus and still feel sad. Which means you can have Joy and still
feel like you want to cry.
Which is why ….
You can worship and still weep.
Faith is not pretending—it’s trusting God with what’s real.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4
5. Redefining What “Joy” Looks Like This Year
Joy may look like:
Quiet moments with a few close people instead of huge gatherings
Saying no to traditions that hurt
Creating new rhythms
Remembering without pretending
Joy doesn’t have to be loud.
6. Gentle Encouragement for Listeners
God is not disappointed by your grief.
The same God who came in a manger walks with you now.
Closing Prayer or Reflection
Invite listeners to:
Breathe in Jesus who is your Joy
Release unrealistic expectations
Invite Jesus into their pain—
- That is the celebration, that despite the pain Jesus made himself available
to everyone. We just have to be willing to accept him.
Release the pressure of keeping up with how things used to be when so much
has changed.
Closing Line Idea:
“This Christmas, you don’t have to be okay. You just have to let Him be with you.”
Scripture reading: Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 53:3, John 1:14
Encourage journaling or lighting a candle in remembrance
