2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

-Galatians 6:2-

The word “bear” is sometimes translated as “carry.” Carry each other’s burden….

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 chirps 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 Jesus came on earth to touch you at the point of loneliness and meaninglessness.

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

Another thing we can do 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.

Pastor Gideon Gallo is Administrative Pastor at Gladbrook Global United Methodist Church, 715 Lincoln St., Gladbrook. He can be reached at 641-473-2025, or gladbrookmethodist@windstream.net.