Do You Feel Tired and Lonely This Christmas Season?

Every year as we unpack our Christmas ornaments, there’s one that always makes me smile and shake my head at the same time. It’s a little black, white, and purple dog that does not remotely match the colors on our tree. It’s not pretty or Christmasy. But it’s also the most expensive ornament we own.

We bought it during our first Christmas as missionaries here in Honduras. We were in language school and far away from everyone we loved. The car we were borrowing was struggling mechanically, so on Christmas Eve, we made the four-hour trip to the nearest city, hoping to combine car repairs with Christmas shopping.

That evening, we wandered through the beautifully decorated mall in San Pedro Sula, trying to soak in the holiday atmosphere. There was something sweet about experiencing Christmas in a new culture, but the loneliness lurked underneath. All the familiar comforts of home were far away, and the 80-degree temperatures didn’t help my Christmas spirit much either.

As we walked outside the mall that night, we saw a man selling small figurines he had twisted together from chenille stems—dogs, flowers, and little shapes that were not particularly attractive. Honestly, most of my elementary-aged nieces and nephews could have crafted something better.

Now, I know the skeptics out there would say he was just there trying to take advantage of generous souls at Christmas time, but my husband's and my hearts broke for him at that moment. His neediness was obvious. We didn’t know his story, but it felt like maybe he had a kid or two at home waiting, and he was trying to do something to get a little money for their Christmas Eve celebration that night. It was a huge reality check to have our holiday shopping interrupted by the messiness and heartache of real life.

My husband handed him a small donation that was very little to us but amounted to about a day’s wages for him. He was so excited that he tried to give us every one of his crafts. We assured him one was more than enough and chose the little black-and-white dog. And every year since, we’ve hung it as an ornament on our tree.

What If Christmas Feels Heavy This Year?

Whenever I think back to that evening, I still tear up. We thought our Christmas felt lacking, but compared to his, it was extravagant. I’ll never know his full story, but I recognized the exhaustion in his eyes.

The Christmas song O Holy Night speaks of “a weary world rejoicing,” and the older I get, the more I understand those words. While Christmas is a beautiful time, it is also full of worn-out and weary people. People who feel weary emotionally, spiritually, or physically. And maybe “weary” is the very word that best describes you as you think about everything ahead of you between now and December 25th.

It’s easy to scroll through magical Christmas moments online while feeling anything but magical yourself. Or maybe this Christmas will be joyful for you, but you don’t quite know how to support someone you love who is struggling.

Jesus Came For the Weary

May I simply remind you this Christmas that the weary are exactly the ones Jesus came for 2,000 years ago?

In all the noise, pressure, and expectations of the season, don’t miss that He came for those who are struggling most. People who feel like they’re barely holding things together.

If that’s you, take heart. His coming was, and still is, good news for the weary.