Alone on Christmas?

I've spent more than one holiday alone, including Christmas. While to some it may seem sad that I've been alone at Christmas, I don't feel sadness in the way others may think.

I don't have decorations up. I don't have presents under the tree. In fact, I don't even have a tree in my home. What I do have is much better than the packages and trimmings that no one really cares about within days, or even hours, after tearing them open.

I have salvation.

I have the knowledge that Christ was born long ago in a land far away, born only so that He may later die to provide everlasting life to anyone who receives Him. Birthed of a virgin in squalid surroundings, a King was born, to later wear a crown of thorns as He gave his life so that we may live.

What better gift could I have been given?

God gave us His Son.

Mary birthed that Son, uncertain of the responsibility she was blessed with.

Joseph, no doubt feeling betrayed when learning that his betrothed was with child - a child that wasn't his - stayed by her side to raise Jesus, the Christ.

Shepherds left their flocks to witness the miracle that was Jesus, then spread word of that joyous birth.

Each of these gave me a gift, a gift that doesn't need to be wrapped and adorned with a fancy bow. If any of those things hadn't happened, I wouldn't be writing this today. There would be no Christians. No Christ. No Christmas.

I've celebrated Christmas many times with a house decorated from top to bottom. I've had the tree with dozens of presents beneath its branches bedecked with shiny baubles. I've spent thousands of dollars on Christmas gifts over the years on people who probably can't remember a single one of them.

It was then that I felt more alone.

I appreciate having had those experiences, and while I've always celebrated Christmas as the birth of Christ, I don't think I've felt the true meaning of that miraculous birth until I did away with the rest of the bling.

How can one feel sad while celebrating such a momentous occasion that we know today as Christmas? I feel more sadness for those who don't know Jesus, who haven't received His gift. Those who spend much time and money preparing for a stress-filled holiday, those who get wrapped up in commercialism, only to forget where it all started. There is the sadness.

I carry my best friend inside of me every day, so don't feel sorry for me this Christmas. I'm in good company and have been given the best gift of all, a gift that I'm free to experience every day of my life. I've been without people on Christmas Day, but I've never been alone.

If you're feeling alone on Christmas or any other day, drop me a note. I'll share my gift with you.