Navigating The Holidays As A Single
Dear Christian Singles,
The holidays can feel extra challenging when you’re single, and let’s be honest—the holidays can feel lonely when your heart aches for someone to share them with.
But let me encourage you: God’s love is more precious than anything this world can offer.
His word says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” – James 4:8
Singleness is not a punishment but a sacred season to draw closer to God. His presence, peace, and unchanging love. The time of singleness is a beautiful gift of getting to intimately grow close to our Father in heaven without the distractions or other obligations such as spouses or children. I know that the desire of a spouse may seem so strong right now, but trust me when I say that one day when you are married, and have children running around, you will look back on these years with fondness.
You will look back at these years of freedom, of growth, of the ability to be spontaneous and to adventure and think back to the good ol days. I don’t think their is one season that os better than another, but it is about embracing every season for all that it is and remembering that “We are not promised tomorrow”, and so we are to live each day with everything we have and embrace all that it is. Today is a gift! Tomorrow is not promised. So live today, love today, and enjoy today!
Remember:
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” – Lamentations 3:24
Rather than dwelling on what we don’t have, reflect on the abundance of God’s blessings. His love is constant, His joy is your strength, and His plans for you are always good. You are seen, valued, and cherished by the Creator of the universe. His love fills every longing and brings peace to every heart. This season, rest in the truth of His everlasting care.
Rather than looking at this holiday season as a burden, look at it as a blessing! Hug your family, embrace your friends, find joy in the little moments and enjoy this holiday season for all that it is.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”– Jeremiah 31:3
So often I think we want to be in a preferred season when the season we are in right now is such a gift from heaven. To fill this season with love from our father, with the joy of our friendships, with the hope of eternity and with the peace that surpasses understanding.
Jesus is more than enough! Let us be remembered of the reason for this holiday season
– the birth of a king!
He is the reason we celebrate! For unto us a saviour is born, and that is worth celebrating!
Written By Michelle Apples
Check out The Christian Singles Hub website for information on Christian matchmaking, Christian speed dating, upcoming Christian retreats, events, trips and so much more at https://thechristiansingleshub.com/
Comparison is a struggle for lots of Christian singles, maybe most. It’s definitely hard around certain times of the year like Christmas (or Thanksgiving, or Valentine’s Day)
It seems so obvious and in-your-face. The contrast can be so stark. They have someone, and you don’t. When you have family gatherings, you often have a big collection of people who’ve had success with a relationship, while you’re left behind.
Then there’s the holiday aspect. It’s great to get gifts from family and friends. But there just seems to be something unique and special about getting them from a romantic partner. As a family you often take a big family photo. Sometimes, when you’re all grown up, and in a big family, everyone or most people, in the photo will be one half of a couple, from your parents to your siblings. Sometimes you stick out like a sore thumb in settings like these. When you get holiday cards, they’ll often include photos of couples. If you get letters, people will be celebrating their successes. If you have newly married family members they’ll talk about how great it is and how much “God blessed them,” making you wonder why God seems to have forgotten about you.
If you have a group of friends you have holiday parties with, these can be a bit hard, too. They tand to express their affection easily, without a second thought. As a single observer, however, the emotional storm can be quite the challenge, and everyone is oblivious. It’s strange to be surrounded by so many good people and yet feel so alone.
Then there’s all the holiday-themed stuff you can do as a couple, be it sleigh rides, or fancy formal dances, and a gazillion other things that are interesting on your own, but so much more romantic with someone special.
And, for sure it’s definitely hard to avoid cynicism.
Then, of course, New Year’s and Valentine’s Day are just around the corner so you can deal with all this stuff again. Yay.
The time of the year also plays a role. The year’s coming to an end, the time off from work, if you have any, leaves you with time to reflect. You think about what happened that year and what you hope will happen the next year. I think everyone does that during the holiday. As single, I certainly do.
Also, regarding the idea that “Singleness is not a punishment but a sacred season to draw closer to God. His presence, peace, and unchanging love. The time of singleness is a beautiful gift of getting to intimately grow close to our Father in heaven without the distractions or other obligations such as spouses or children.”
A lot of the time, when you’re single, people tell you to “take advantage” of it because you can apparently “serve more.” You have more “time” to serve.
I think lot of this comes from a certain take on what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. Paul basically says that an unmarried person is devoted to the Lord and not distracted by the needs of his spouse. This is then interpreted by some to mean that a person can do “more ministry” as a single. I don’t think that’s what Paul says here. I mean, if that’s the case, why are all the pastors and church elders typically married? Did they make a mistake? Is marriage getting in the way of their ministry? What Paul says here, I believe, is that if you AREN’T distracted by the desire for marriage, then maybe you have the gift of singleness.