The holidays are often painted as a time of joy, family, and celebration. For many, it’s a season of warmth, comfort, and togetherness. But for others, especially those in difficult seasons of life, the holidays can highlight the very things that feel out of reach. The festive lights, the family gatherings, the songs of joy—these can serve as stark reminders of what is missing or what has been lost. The expectation of happiness during the holidays can sometimes feel like an unbearable weight, especially when you’re grieving, waiting, or longing for change.
The Hard Truth: Not Every Season Feels Joyful
The truth is, holidays can be hard. Whether it’s the absence of loved ones, the reminder of unfulfilled dreams, or the deep ache of longing for something different, the holidays can intensify those feelings. It’s hard to escape the pressure to be happy or to feel like you “should” be experiencing joy. But as Christians, we know that it’s okay not to feel cheerful all the time. Life isn’t always filled with the joy that the world around us expects, and that’s not a failure. In fact, God’s Word reminds us that our grief is valid and that He is near to the brokenhearted.
Psalm 34:18 tells us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Even in our sorrow, God is near, offering comfort and peace in ways that are often deeper than the external holiday cheer we may long for.
The Waiting: A Different Kind of Hope
There’s another hard truth that often accompanies the holiday season—the waiting. The waiting for answers. The waiting for healing. The waiting for change. For many, this time of year feels like it drags on, with no resolution in sight. The holidays can become a season of waiting, and that’s not always comfortable.
It takes faith to believe that, in these waiting moments, we are not being punished or forgotten. Sometimes, we are withheld from what we long for because it’s not yet time. It’s a kind of waiting that’s hard to understand because it feels like nothing is happening, but that’s where faith comes in. We trust that the Lord is working behind the scenes, preparing us for something greater.
Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” When we wait on God, He promises us strength, even when it feels like nothing is changing. Our waiting is never wasted; it is an opportunity for God to strengthen our faith and prepare us for the blessings ahead.
Both Can Be True: The Pain and the Hope
The beauty of the holiday season, even in its difficulty, is that both the pain and the hope can coexist. It’s okay to feel the weight of what’s missing and, at the same time, hold onto the belief that something better is on its way. It’s possible to experience both grief and hope, to mourn what has been lost and still find comfort in the anticipation of what is yet to come.
This is the tension of the in-between seasons—the space where growth happens, even if it’s not visible yet. Much like a seed planted in the ground during winter, we may not see the progress, but something is stirring beneath the surface. Just as Jesus spoke in John 12:24, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Even in the hard times, God is using this waiting and difficulty to prepare something beautiful, even when it’s hidden from our view.
A Season for Both
This holiday season, it’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s okay to feel the complexity of this time. You don’t have to pretend to be okay when you’re not, and you don’t have to deny the hope that still lingers beneath the surface. Both can be true—the struggle and the possibility, the sorrow and the anticipation. It takes courage to embrace both, but in doing so, we open ourselves to the fullness of the season—where both pain and joy can exist together, and where, in the waiting, something beautiful is being prepared.
As we reflect on this truth, we can find peace in the promise of Romans 8:28, which assures us that, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Even in our waiting, even in our struggles, we can trust that God is working everything together for our good and His glory.
