It’s that time of year again, the holiday season, or what some say is the most wonderful time of the year.

Perhaps you’re looking forward to parties with friends, delightful family visits, baking cookies, decorating the tree while sipping hot cocoa, and having fun. For you, it’s a happy time, and it feels like something out of a Hallmark holiday movie or a nostalgic Norman Rockwell painting.

If that’s your experience, count your blessings. Because, for many people, the Christmas season can feel lonely, sad, or even downright depressing.

Think about the single mother whose budget is already stretched paper thin, and she’s wondering if she can afford to buy presents this year—much less put food on the table. Or, your friend who just received an unexpected health diagnosis or job loss.

Maybe you’re the one who’s dealing with disappointment this year. You’re still single—or single again—and you feel more alone than ever during the holidays. Most of your friends have their own families with whom to celebrate—and you don’t.

Could it be that your family get-togethers are challenging—that there’s more fighting than feasting. Or, your family doesn’t gather at all.

For whatever reason, you’re feeling downright miserable.

Sigh.

I get it. I’ve been there. To be sure, I’ve had my own times of sorrow during the holidays. For instance, years ago after an unexpected breakup I remember feeling the fresh sadness of rejection, and the angst of being uncoupled in a very coupled world.

Over the years, I’ve learned to find new perspectives during this celebratory season. Here are six helpful ways to deal with discouragement and find new joy during the holidays:

1. Pray. Ask God to soothe your pain and take away your sadness or loneliness. Ask Him for peace and joy, comfort and healing. Remember that God is bigger than your circumstances. He has the wisdom and power to change things. And, He acts out of ultimate love for you. For those who are hurting, my book, Praying With Power When Life Gets Tough, is a helpful and inspiring resource.

2. Serve others.Joy comes as we do things for other people. Consider volunteering at a local food bank or homeless shelter. Offer to help a neighbor or a senior citizen in need. One holiday season our church singles group offered to babysit children so their parents could go Christmas shopping. When you give of your time and talents, you bless others and find the joy of serving.

3. Remember the love you have.As you focus on what you have, not what you don’t, your loneliness can turn to gratitude. And gratefulness leads to peace and joy. Instead of moaning about being single during the holidays, focus on the love you already have in your life—the love of family members, friends, people from church, and others.

4. Start new traditions.If the people you long to be with over the holidays are not available, find others with whom to celebrate. Have a few friends over to your place for snacks and holiday movies. Host a caroling party. Invite someone over on Christmas Eve who may need a place to celebrate—a widow, a new person in town, or another single adult you know. Be creative and start some new holiday traditions.

5. Focus on the true meaning of Christmas.Most importantly, remember why we celebrate Christmas. Indeed, Jesus is “the reason for the season,” but more so, He is the reason for everything in our lives. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, came to earth—God with us. Emmanuel. The best gift ever! Then the baby in the manger grew up, and showed us how to truly live and love, and be connected with God—both on earth and in Heaven with Him forever. Read Luke 2:4-19.

6. Have hope for the future.Finally, look ahead. The New Year is just around the corner. You can have hope and peace because God has a plan. He is for you. He is with you. And He never drops the ball. Our great God is always at work—even when you can’t see or feel it.

In time, the holidays will pass. But you can know that God is good and faithful all year long. He will take care of you. Trust in His power and love.

What is Christmas?

Christmas is where it all began,
An infant child who became a man.
Eternity came down so we could understand,
The child of Creator, the true Son of Man.

He was not unexpected, for the prophets foretold
The events that had happened would surely unfold.
Four hundred years later the miracle came,
The star over Bethlehem shone where He lay.

They came to attend Him from near and from far,
The shepherds and wise men who followed the star.
All were rejoicing that first Christmas night,
At the child of a virgin, a humbling sight.

So, what is the meaning of that first Christmas night?
Simply, He came to make everything right.
For the Child had a purpose in coming to earth.
He came as a light and to give us new birth.

He gave us forgiveness and paid with His life.
What kind of love would pay such a price?
For death could not hold Him; He rose from that grave.
And freedom and life were the gifts that He gave.

No longer divided, no longer alone,
Because of His love the wall had come down.
Live free forever! O, what a gift!
Both now here on earth and forever with Him.

Wise men and angels followed Him then.
Wise men still seek Him, again and again.

– Jackie M. Johnson

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!