WHAT DO THE LONELY DO AT CHRISTMAS?

Part II

Matthew 1:23

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Why do people experience loneliest during Christmas? Health professional experts call it Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Health professionals also state that loneliness impairs immune function and boost inflammation, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. Loneliness has doubled: 40 % of adults in 2 surveys said they were lonely. It’s up from 20% in 1980. The Gallup Poll says that loneliness affects a third of the population and psychologist say that the figure is steadily on the rise. Loneliness can be one of those symptoms that if we leave unchecked can be deadly. The problem arises because we don’t know how to treat it. When we feel hungry we eat. When we feel sleepy we lie down. If you break a bone you can treat that but how do you treat loneliness?

There are a lot of lonely people in the world that feel as though they have no one. Contrary to what many believe, one of the loneliest times of the year is Christmas. However, for the Christian, this is the time of year that we reflect on the greatest commodity given to Christendom and that is the greatest gift to the world; God is with us. For the person who does not have a clear understanding of that phrase let me explain.

Matthew 1:23 says, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

The Terrific News for this Tuesday Morning is this: God Is With Us! Some people will abandon you in times of agony but Jesus is saying to us, “I won’t abandon you. I am with you.”

If you find yourself lonely during this season take this second step of three.  the message was Reach Within. The message for Wednesday is:

Reach Up: When horizontal relationships fail you that you have become dependant on shift your focus from the horizontal to the vertical. When loneliness sets in check your prayer life. Have a little talk with Jesus. He is a confidant in crisis and a comforter in life’s most critical times.

-Dr. Oscar T. Moses