Be a Friend This Holiday Season
The time from Thanksgiving to Christmas is a wonderful time of year. A song written in 1963 by Edward Pola and George Wyle, popularized by singer Andy Williams, tells us so. You know the song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Not only does the song tell us that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but it also makes the claim that, “It’s the hap-happiest season of all.”
For many, the long holiday season is one of great joy, excitement, anticipation. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Turkey. Stuffing. Gravy. Pecan pie. Jesus. Santa Claus. Undisturbed snow under the night sky. Family gatherings. Holiday parties. Seasonal music. Baking cookies. Christmas caroling. Decorations. Hot cocoa by the fireplace. Eggnog. Magnificent light displays. Ralphie Parker. Clark Griswold. Cousin Eddie. George Bailey. Doris Walker. Kevin McCallister. Ebenezer Scrooge. Mr. Grinch, Rudolph. Frosty. Hermey the Misfit (Dentist) Elf. Yukon Cornelius. Hallmark movies. Ugly sweaters. Christmas Eve candlelight church services. And so much more. Oh, and may I add one more descriptor of this season… exhausting.
But this holiday season can also be a very difficult time for some people. It could be that they’ve had a very challenging year financially. Or maybe they have some health issue that has worn them down, zapped their energy, created a future filled with uncertainty. Possibly a long-term relationship went sour and there is lingering pain or guilt from that ended relationship. Is someone new to your community, not having made many friends yet, therefore left off the neighborhood party invitation list? This season will be also hard for those who experienced the recent death of a loved one. There will be that sense of loneliness and sorrow. Those missing gifts and that empty chair make it no secret that life has changed.
We all know someone who would say that 2024 was not the most wonderful of times. In fact, that person might even say this year downright stunk, and that 2025 cannot come soon enough. How about coming along side that person and simply be a friend. Our presence says to them, “I care.” Not only that, God can work through us to give that brokenhearted person a sense of hope and encouragement. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of this season, what better gift is there than to be a friend to someone who is hurting.
The Bible tells us to do that very thing. In Galatians 6:2 we read this, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.” This does not mean we should take on their burdens. We have enough of our own. In fact, in v.5, we read “for each should carry their own load.” The Greek word used here for “load” is phortion, which refers to a personal burden that is non transferrable. So, bearing someone’s burden is not taking responsibility for it. Rather, we come along side someone to aid, to assist, to lighten the load. Help them carry their load (phortion).
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” Proverbs 18:24.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.
So, this Thanksgiving to Christmas Season, be a friend to someone, and just quite possibly helping to make this the “hap-happiest season of all” for them.
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