December and depression

Carry each other’s burden, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

The month of December and depression seem to go together. Ask any counselor or pastor, and they will tell you that the number of people fighting depression increases during December. “It’s the weather,” some say. “No, it’s too much alcohol at the Christmas party,” another chips in. While both undoubtedly contribute to December depression, I suspect that there is a cause deeper than the weather or the amount of alcohol consumed.

The real problem is a sense of disconnection and loss. Maybe you won’t be home for Christmas, or there may be no home to go to, or your family has disintegrated. Who wants to trim the tree when there are no kids running around, nobody to buy gifts for and no one to celebrate with? Who wants to listen to an old recording of Bing Crosby singing “I’ll be home for Christmas” when one is alone?

What do we do? Write off Christmas? Purge it from our memories? Cry, “Bah, humbug!” like old Scrooge? Part of the answer lies in rethinking what Christmas is about. It is not just about family, food and gifts, but a God-connection, which means that His Son came to earth to touch you at the point of your loneliness.

Never forget that Jesus wasn’t home for 33 long years during which he was misunderstood and even abused, longing for the home He had left in heaven. Part of the answer to December depression is to refocus on the meaning of Christmas.

Another thing  we can do is to reconnect with people, even if you have to force yourself to take this step. Whatever you do, don’t just sit at home and feel sorry for yourself. Someone else is as lonely as you are. Find that person.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  You will go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:10-12