Christmas for those who are alone by Mary Ellis

 Ah, the holidays. Those two words often evoke feelings of anxiety in the hearts of many Americans. So much to do to get ready: Clean the house, decorate it from top to bottom, send out greeting cards, and prepare the food ahead of time so the ham or roast turkey will look as effortless as the cooking shows on cable TV. And what about the shopping, you ask? Yes, what should we buy picky mother-in-laws, our kid’s ballet teacher, the neighbors, and the work gift exchange? And what about children and grandchildren who already have everything under the sun? It’s no wonder some people greet December with little enthusiasm. As Christians, we know to keep Christ at the center of the holiday. If we give Him the focus, then we’ll choose activities that keep the spiritual aspect of the season.

My husband and I represent a small group who’re almost never heard from…people with no one to cook for at the holidays, who clean the house expecting no guests to drop by, and whose gift list is miniscule. You might be thinking…at least you won’t find yourself deep in debt once January rolls around. But remember, once you’ve finished your list of chores and the blessed holiday arrives, you’ll be surrounded by people who love you. With our close friends and small family all far away, my husband and I will have only each other. Please don’t think I’m complaining, because at least we have our faith to see us through difficult times.

So those of you with families close by, stop focusing on what you must accomplish. Split up the chores, settle for less-than-gourmet meals, and set limits on spending. Do whatever necessary to keep the Christmas season from spiraling out of control. Then take time to give thanks for the blessings of family. Pity those that are truly alone—the homeless, the incarcerated, or children waiting to be adopted. Consider ways to serve them during this blessed season. And have a merry Christmas.

Mary Ellis is a former schoolteacher turned USA Today bestselling author who’s written twenty-six novels including Amish fiction, historical romance, and suspense. Her first mystery, Midnight on the Mississippi, was a finalist for the RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award and a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award. Her latest series is the Bourbon Tour Mysteries from Severn House. Book two, One Hundred Proof Murder released August 3, 2021. Her latest Amish novella is Missing available on Amazon Kindle. She enjoys gardening and bicycling and lives in Ohio with her husband and dog. She can be found at www.maryellis.net or

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236