Christmas is magical for many, but also the joy that overflowed that night can seem so foreign to many depressed and weary Christians.
Depression in the Christmas season is common — for both Christian and non-Christian, alike, and why wouldn’t it be? Diabetes doesn’t take a break for Christmas. Depression often doesn’t as well.
In fact, research has shown that rates of depression, anxiety and other conditions actually increases around the holiday season.
If you’re a Christian, struggling through this season, I hope this poem helps.
A reader from India — Lisa Choudhrie — sent it in, and I wanted to share it with you.
“Oh Come All Ye Faithful”
by Lisa Choudhrie
O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
The timeless hymn goes
What if the faithful are losing it?
And they’re joyless and defeated,
Are their names struck off?
Not in ‘when the roll is called up yonder’
When it feels hopeless…
Can we rewrite these cliched Christmas carols?
Put some bite, some reality in them,
The world isn’t what it was when the ‘Babe was born in Bethlehem’
Yet, it’s more or less the same…
Let’s sing songs of deliverance
The Saviour brought true freedom
From shackles and prisons visible and unseen
From lifeless living, purposeless pursuits…
His coming meant there was a reason for life
Anything less just a baseless lie
The wicked one is a defeated liar
Stealing, destroying, killing- his lifeless lies
Instead of the ‘baby wrapped in swaddling clothes’
Sing of the Victory in the empty grave
Immanuel, walking with us down our Emmaus roads
Gentle, strong, Jesus saves…
The King who looks into our hearts
Pushes past the decorations and twinkling lights
And sees the need inside our souls
And yet He doesn’t avert His sight…
No! All is not calm, definitely not bright
The minds are too full of senselessness
Yet, the Messiah walks in, pushes past the thick cobwebs
And brings hope again…
Tough roads that He walked, all for us
Tough choices He made, all for us
His arms are open wide, there’s grace aplenty
Scarred hands still bring healing- for those in misery…
‘Peace on earth’, the chorus rang out
Not as we perceive peace and bonhomie
But peace that is there in the invisible
Despite our suffering, there’s hope available…
The manger, the Cross
Mean, rough and rugged
He gave His all, life for life
Willingly at a great price…
So build up your faith, gentle ones
He’s gentle and lowly in spirit
A smouldering wick he will not quench
He brings healing to our hearts and minds and spirits…
The many ‘whys’ will be answered one day
For now, breathe in His Presence
This babe is King of our hearts
He is our Strength- very present…
If any of you dear readers are struggling this season…
Find a psychiatrist here.
Find a therapist here.
If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or others, please call the National Suicide Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
There’s hope. Often, it feels too distant to imagine it could be true. But press on, and reach out for help.
