|
|
|
|
New for You! Christmas Holiday Stories, Handling Holiday Blues
Description: Members were asked to share their
favorite Christmas Holiday story, or tell how they handle the loneliness of the Holidays.
Categories: Dating, Pen Pals, Friends: Member Surveys
This Post has been viewed 5353 times.
Submitted by: Nannette | View Member Profile | View Other Posts
Created: 1/21/2004
Female - Age Range: 21-30
Well the holidays is here and still I have NO man!! I can't believe that I am handling this much better than i thought I would. first I was very sadden by the numerous couples out in the malls and restuarants. I would see them hugging and having a good time. For every movie that I watch shows a couple in love, doing whatever couples do. Although all this, I can't complain; I am very happy. To handle my loneliness, I chat with my roommate before we go to bed about man and how we wished we had one, lol. Um i would knit, cut paper dolls, watch action movies, dance, sing and practice my sign language, eat, laugh and play. Oh yeah also go site seeing.
Merlyne Pierre-Canel
SlvrRose:
Female - Age Range: 21-30
You may use my alias.
I don't really have a favorite Christmas Holiday story as this is my favorite time of year. My birthday is Dec. 23 but that's not why I like this time of year. I love the lights, cold, and people in general seem to be in a better mood.
There is a town, not far from me, that has a 'Festival Of Lights' from the end of November to the end of December. The whole town is lit up. This is also the town I attend church in. So as often as I visit this town and see all the lights and think it would be nice and romantic to stroll through the lights with someone special at my side I don't get lonely. I just think of all the wonderful family and friends I have in my life that I can share the lights with. That my best friend and I can just walk down the streets, looking at lights, and talking about whatever comes to mind.
I'm 27 and most people I've known in my life that are around my age have been married for at least a couple of years and have kids. But I know that God has someone very awesome for my life. Just that thought that someday we'll be celebrating our first Christmas together gives me hope.
Jesus is the reason for the season. Without Him the thought of 'how do you handle the loneliness of the Holidays' wouldn't even have come up. Sure we still have Thanksgiving but I don't find it nearly as special as Christmas. Thank you Christ for giving us a time of year to be extra special to those that are around us and to draw attention to You and what You've done for us.
May God bless all of us this time of year.
lifeisagift:
Female - Age Range: 41-50
You may use my alias.
I, like many, am fighting the Holiday Blues..No one would know it if they met me, I am outgoing and bubbly, and really do enjoy life and all God has given us. It is easy, especially this time of year, to get lonely though and think back about how things were in happier/different times... But, life is a constant test, and staying strong, praying and communicating with God even more than ever, is the way to get through it, and not just get through it, but come through it stronger and more content and in peace with ourselves. If we are tempted to feel sorry for ourselves, look around, and then thank God for all we really do have to be thankful for.. Do things for others less fortunate.. 'pick yourself up and get back in the race'!!
After Thanksgiving dinner, my daughters and I packed up the leftovers, and as we started to put them in the refrigerator, we looked at each other and all then began making as many plates with all the trimmings as we could.. We went down to D.C. and passed out the plates with everything, turkey, potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce, beans, and a slice of pie.. to the homeless living in the streets.. One man was digging through a trash can, and when we asked if he was hungry he kindly and thankfully took a plate, and said God Bless You to my two teenage daughters and myself.. I was a little concerned that some of them might be rude, violent, disrespectful... but everyone of them were appreciative and kind, and almost everyone thanked God and us for the blessing..It was such a wonderful thing to see these people sitting on their benches, carts next to them with everything they own in the world, and eating and enjoying the food we had shared with them!
This experience is what Thanksgiving and living for God is really what it is all about.. helping others..Even as I write this I struggle with my own sense of loneliness and loss, but pray for strength to remember what it is really all about.. We have all experienced loss, but character is built by our challenges and doing for others, not feeling sorry for ourselves.. GOD BLESS EVERYONE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
Female - Age Range: 41-50
I try to pretend it's not Christmas, usually turn the TV way up so I don't hear the neigbors getting company, and have a sandwich or something. It's easier than going to friends families houses, then you're just reminded the whole time that it's not your familie. I know the Lord says he puts the lonely in families, but I've been alone most of my life. I wonder why? You'd think he'd make good on His promise sometime, don't you?
Female - Age Range: 41-50
Twelve years ago when I came to United States from Romania along with my three children, I was instructed by some neighbors not to open the door to anybody because they may come and take advantage of us being new in the neighborhood.
We rented a two bedroom apartment and our English was zero to nothing. I knew other languages like French, German and Russian but no English.
We went to a local Romania church on Christmas Eve and then another family gave us a ride back home as we did not have a car.
Our apartment was just about empty; someone gave us a sofa bed and two mattresses for the children and me. We did not have dishes but some plastic bowls and plastic utensils. What we did have was joy and peace in our hearts. We came home that Christmas Eve and we had a family prayer time and we sang together.
Because there was no TV or phone in the house, we went to bed earlier plus we had the jet log being new in the United States.
Right before we went to bed, a knock in the door was heard. Our hearts stopped breathing. Who was it at this time?
We stopped moving into the apt and the knock continued. I tried to get closer to the door and take a pick but my children began crying not to open the door considering the warnings from our neighbors. I heard another knock and I decided to open the door.
The children lined up behind me and what a surprise! It was our landlord with two other ladies with packages and boxes for us. Two men came inside carrying food and clothing and a black and white TV, toys and kitchen supplies.
I was shocked along with my children and as we couldn’t speak any English, the landlord brought another fellow Romanian Christian and he interpreted for us that these two ladies wanted to help someone in deep need and they called the church and found out our address from the pastor of the church.
Not ever in my life have I seen a turkey that huge.
As we said good-bye to them, we began crying not knowing what else to say.
God had sent his angels with supplies for us and we did not even ask for it.
I will never forget how that “silent night” turned into a more joyful one knowing that Someone cares for us.
May God bless all the believers’ body especially at this time.
Mary
Daybreez:
Female - Age Range: 41-50
You may use my alias. It was Christmas, 1991. I was in my junior year in college, and it was not only time for semester exams before the Christmas holidays, I was also moving the weekend before exams started. Talk about being rattled! I remember after the move, sitting there one evening...there were only ten days left until Christmas morning; and wondering how on earth I was going to pull it all together! One of the traditions that I look forward to as much as I did as a child, is trimming the tree. And stringing popcorn to cover it from top to bottom is a given. As I'm sitting there that winter evening, realizing that time is not on my side to string popcorn this year, I start feeling a little sad....knowing that it will be another year before I can do this little ritual again that brings so much pleasure. As I am sitting there pouring my heart out to God....don't you just know He wondered what on earth this woman was moaning and groaning about...because I remember saying to Him 'Lord, you know my heart...and please forgive me for feeling so sad that I can't have the popcorn on the tree...I don't have time...but this is something I am so used to doing...it brings such pleasure, and here I am feeling sorry for myself that I can't enjoy this pleasure this Christmas holiday.'
Well, I got up to get started on the lights, and remember now.....we had just moved this same weekend, so things were not all properly in their places. I had an old shiffarobe that was refinished, which I used in the living room as a sort of 'conversation piece'. Usually, I kept one side of it open, displaying old quilts, and kept a small lamp on the top shelf. Well, during this move....a lot of students helped me; and since we were all pressed for time with exams starting the following Monday, finding a box with pots and pans in the bedroom didn't surprise me. I thought I had assembled all of the boxes marked 'Christmas' in the living room, so if I was going to get this tree going, I knew I had to end the pity party and make it happen.
What happened next is something that you might think is just the silliest thing in the world, but it was meaningful to me in words that I find hard to describe. I opened one of the shiffarobe doors - for what purpose, I do not recall. There, lying on the top shelf was several strands of popcorn that I had saved from last year (which I never saved, by the way...because it was something I liked having fresh on the tree...for the smell, you know...not because it was something I looked forward to so much. Right Deb!). Well...tears started flowing, and I started giggling. Laughing actually. During this move, they must have fallen out of one of the boxes or bags, and someone just crammed them into the shiffarobe. I could not stop grinning. Even the smallest things that bring us pleasure, HE knows! Popcorn...year-old-stale....popcorn. First time I ever saved any.
I realized how much God wants us to come to Him with anything......anything at all, even things that seem too trivial to go to prayer with....maybe embarass us to take to Him. I don't think I found this by chance...I don't believe in coincidences! I believe God heard my heart...and as trivial as my desire might have been, He guided me to finding something that He knew would bring joy to my soul. He heard this simple woman's desire for something she knew she couldn't accomplish in the small amount of time she had left. And I want to believe He was smiling along with me...maybe even laughed too!
Female - Age Range: 41-50
I was happily married for 20 years before I became a widow. It was hard to face the holidays without your loved ones. It is a tradition that my in-laws come to our house for Christmas. My mother-in-law did not feel like celebrating the holidays because it was painful but I insisted that the tradition must go on and it is also a way to face the problem up front and it is okay to bring back memories of our loved ones during the holiday as it is a grieve process. We have been doing it for the last 5 years now. Things get better each year. Our memories of our loved ones will always be there. The Lord is always good inspite of our tragedy. He knows what is best. One other way to hadle the loneliness is to call your friends and relatives. When you are busy, you would not have the time to feel lonesome.
LookingForYou:
Female - Age Range: 51-60
You may use my alias.
I have wonderful memories of childhood Christmases spent at my Grandparents' home in northern Alberta, or in our home. There were always lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins around, which was really enjoyable. One year on the farm, besides Grandma and Grandpa and my youngest uncle who was still on the farm, four other brothers came with their families for Christmas Day. In that small farmhouse, with only a kitchen and living room downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs (and one outhouse), what a riot of noise and people there was! By the time we all opened presents and had dinner, the parents elected young Uncle Hank to take all the kids (I think there were at least 15 of us) out for a hayride behind the two big farm work horses. He packed us into the big wagon box, and off we went. It was a short ride, though, as it was VERY cold outside, but at least our parents had a break! Good memories!
Female - Age Range: 51-60
I miss my mate the most around the holidays. It is such a family time. I spend it with my children,{ I have a married daughter and one grandson. She is pregnant with a little girl}They fill my life but since losing my husband in 2001 the time gets lonely and I miss saring it with someone. God is good though and I have a good job and lots to be thankful for.I try to think of others who have been so much less fortunate than me and have never known true love or about having a family to be with.
Female - Age Range: 51-60
Loneliness - how real it feels, especially at the Holiday season.
When I feel loneliness coming on, I think of Jesus who walked this lonesome valley for each of us. He will walk the lonesome path with us also.
I do my best to stop loneliness by inviting someone over who may be single, or just alone for the day. Another way I cope with loneliness is I plan ahead for the day - I make myself a nice dinner and invite Jesus to sit with me at my table. I like to take a newspaper and write cards on Christmas, or whatever day it may be, to all the listings of those who have lost loved ones, just had a new baby or just married. This lifts one's spirits so much because it is taking the mind off of self and onto others. I make my cards on my computer or I purchase packets of blank cards at a dollar store, if one is available near by. It is truly rewarding.
For me - loneliness comes from thinking of self and not others most of the time. Reach out to others and Jesus will reach down to you.
Female - Age Range: 61-70
I've never been through divorce, but the death of 2 spouses is very hard to not to remember at the Holiday Season as it was my first husbands birthday just a couple of days before Thanksgiving and on this upcoming Sabbath the 6th it will be 13 years since my 2nd husband passed away and also my granddaughter 31st birthday. Both my mom and dad in January only 45 years almost of the day, it would have been if Mother had lived another 3 hours, and they were buried Feb. 2nd next to each other 45 years apart. I was a little girl when daddy was killed, but when my mother died I had a sick husband and I had the flu and only my brother went from Colorado. He had had the flu also and his wife, son, and grandson were all ill.
Yes, they holidays are sometimes hard to cope with, but then I remember that my only living brother and his wife will be celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary Christmas Eve. And this Sabbath some friends that have just moved to Monroe, Washington will celebrate their 68th years together. I think that that is wonderful. I guess that you could say that I am envious in a way, but the Lord knows best of what has happened in my life, and the only Wedding Feast that I am looking forward too if in Heaven.
I am finding my best coping mechanism is my time early each morning with the Lord. He is a good healer of all broken hearts.
On one of the Prayer Lines that I am on there was this saying and I did it on the computer and put it on my hall door to my apartment. It says, 'Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your GOD IS.' I think that that is awesome. How about You?
Male - Age Range: 31-40
My favorite Christmas holiday story is... the story of a Savior born in a manger! :) I know it might be cliche, but when I think of Christmas, that's what I think of... the First Advent! That precious little innocent baby Jesus, the Lamb of God! The First and Best Ever Christmas present! :) These holidays bring no thoughts of self and 'loneliness,' but of that Gentle Creator who climbed that hill to Calvary while I was yet in sin. Certainly, I would love to spend these holidays with a wife (that would be a wonderful Christmas gift, Father!? :) ), but my 'Significant Other' will always be my Awesome Lord Jesus!!! :D
Male - Age Range: 31-40
I RECENTLY LOST THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN MY LIFE.THEY ARE MY MOM AND DAD.IT HAPPENED 71/2 MONTHS APART FROM EACH OTHER.I CAN NOT IMAGINE HAVING CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THEM. WHEN MY MOM WAS HERE,IT WAS A HAPPY AND JOYOUS TIME.MY MOM WAS A GREAT COOK AND LOVED HAVIONG THE FAMILY TOGETHER.THE HOUSE BOOMED WITH LAUGHTER AND FUN.I LOVE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS,THEY REPRESENT THE REAL PRESENCE OF THE LORD IN EVERY ONE'S HOME.IT IS WONDERFUL.I HOPE TO REGAIN THAT JOY AND MERRY MAKING IN MY FUTURE AND MY FUTURE FAMILY.BY MEETING THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS WILL NOW BE RENEWED.
sirthomas64:
Male - Age Range: 31-40
you may use my alias,
I don't know if what I am feeling is holiday blues or not, I think it's more like feeling nothing, a void or hole that will only be filled in God's time. I tend to try my best to ignore the holidays altogether. Christmas is especialy hard to ignor as the radio is jambed with Christmas songs that eventualy, if played enough,will drive a person totaly crazy.
You see I was separated a few days before Christmas 5 years ago, when I found my x wife had gone home with some guy after a christmas party, they were found in a compromising position. I gave my (then ) wife the opportunity to get right or get out, she left and got pregnant by him. She has come back around a couple of times to try and get back together but I just can't do it. I am a very dedicated person and I can't handle betrayal of that magnitude.
I have done alot of healing in the last 5 years and my life is nearly where I want it to be. I would like to be able to complete the new me with a new Mrs. me and make a new life with a family to share hopes and dreams and create family traditions with. I can say that I have met many new friends through this site and value them very much but haven't met anyone that I consider to be a potential partner to tackle life together, so I spend another Christmas alone, ok not alone, I'm going to Tennessee to be with family for christmas thru new years, should be a nice escape from the gost of Christmas past!! That is the best that I can suggest!! Find some family or friend to spend time with over the holidays to keep your minds off of your own lonelyness. If 2 or more lonely people get together and share for the holidays there will likely be 2 less people who are lonely.
May our Lord and God be with us all as 2003 draws to an end and may it's end find a sweet spirit resting in all of our lives as we prepare to meet our King when He comes in power and glory, amen.
saulpaulus:
Male - Age Range: 41-50
You may use my alias Saulpaulus
On Christmas Day, I took my mom in to see the sights and sounds of New York City at Christmas. We attended a very beautiful Episcopalian service at the prestigious St. Thomas on Fifth Avenue. There was beautiful choral music from a visiting mens and boys choir.
As we got up from our pew to get Communion, we noticed a little boy hurry past us. As we walked through the foyer after the service, that same boy came bounding over to us, a big smile on his face, and his hand outstretched.
'Hello, Merry Christmas,' he said as he shook our hands. As he came to us, we noticed that he had metal crutches and was missing a leg. His name was Alexander and he couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old. My mom asked him if Santa had been good to him. He smiled brightly and exclaimed, 'Oh yes! Very good!' Never was there ever a more Tiny Tim-like character! I thought of him as I attended a performance of 'A Christmas Carol' on Friday.
We also saw the Saks window display, the Rockefeller Centre tree, the Lord & Taylor window display (telling the story of Virginia O'Hanlon, the girl who sent a letter to the editor of the NY Sun asking if there really was a Santa Claus, --as in 'Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!'), and we saw the building from where Virginia wrote her famous letter. Naturally, Alexander was the highlight of our visit. We will never forget him.
It is often said that Christmas is about children. The Tiny Tims, Virginias, and Alexanders in our lives exude a spirit of faith in the face of cynicism and contentment in spite of adversity that shame us.
This is, of course, exactly what Jesus had in mind when He said, 'unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.' Matthew 18: 3,4 (NIV).
If in the course of your holiday celebrations, the aftermath of your holidays, or at any time in the year to come you begin to feel sorry for yourself or you are overcome with cynicism, remember the childlike faith and uncomplaining spirit of Alexander. Remember also that God is greater than our hearts and cast your cares upon Him. He is as ever ready to rescue you from cynicism and despair as He was to lift up a child like Alexander.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Nannette Thacker, Shining Star Services LLC ChristianSinglesDating.com
Free Trial! Chat, Photos, Search, Christian values, 2-way match, love.
Christian Singles|Christian Pen Pals|Christian Marriage|Christian Dating|Christian Chat|Personals Ads
|
