When Christmas feels heavy, grief and disappointment can make the season anything but merry—and that’s exactly where the hope of Galatians 4:4–5 speaks loudest. This passage reminds us that Jesus came at the perfect time to redeem us, comfort us, and hold us when the holidays hurt. If you’re walking through loss, financial strain, loneliness, or the ache of an empty seat at the table, this devotional offers space to breathe and brings your heart back to the truth that God meets you right where you are.

Highlights


Why a painful Christmas doesn’t mean you lack faith


Galatians 4:4–5 as an anchor in seasons of grief


Giving yourself permission to feel what’s honest


How God makes room for sorrow, not just celebration


Hope for those facing loss, divorce, financial strain, or uncertainty


A reminder that Jesus stepped into a broken world—on purpose


Looking toward the day when all things are made new

Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!

Full Transcript Below:

What to Do if Christmas Isn’t Merry and Bright

By Vivian Bricker 

Bible Reading:

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5). 

Christmas can feel difficult for many reasons. Perhaps you’re unable to afford presents for your children. Or, you might be facing your first Christmas without a loved one. Regardless of what we are going through when Christmas approaches, we need to remember that God doesn't expect us to be merry and bright just because it is the norm. He wants us to be genuine in our emotions and not afraid to reach out to Him. 

I love Christmas because it’s the day we get to celebrate the Lord’s birth, yet I cannot run from the fact that I miss my mom terribly on this day. My mother also loved Christmas and always ensured it was a fun holiday celebration. Without her being here, it feels empty. These struggles can be really painful, especially around the holidays when we’re expected to be joyful. But it is better to address our feelings rather than to run from them. For far too long, I had the habit of running from my pain. 

Maybe this is what you are going through this Christmas as well. A loved one passed away, and you are feeling anything but merry and bright. Or maybe you and your spouse are going through a divorce, or a child is having a tough time at school, or you got laid off from your job rather than the Christmas bonus you were counting on. Regardless of what you are going through, know that God doesn't condemn you for struggling this Christmas. In fact, bring all of your troubles to Him and allow His grace to strengthen you. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

The Apostle Paul tells us, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5). This is the message of Christmas. Jesus was sent into the world to redeem us and bring us into His family. 

Even though we are facing hardships this Christmas, we can still celebrate the Lord with our weary hearts. He will transform our weary hearts into hearts of steadfastness, strength, and hope. Reflect upon Galatians 4:4-5 and take notice of what it means to you this Christmas. Because of the Lord, everything will be made right one day. We won't have to deal with pain, agony, or hard times forever. 

The day is coming when all things will be made new. The death of loved ones, the ending of marriages, and the betrayal of friends will be things of the past. Look forward to this day, and it will engulf your heart with peace. Jesus was born into the world to save us and bring us to Him. With this truth in our hearts, we can truly shine bright for Jesus this Christmas. 

Is Christmas not feeling merry and bright this year? How can you bring these feelings to Jesus? 

Reflect upon Galatians 4:4-5 and how it applies to you this Christmas. What are your key takeaways?

Further Reading:

Psalm 145:8-13

Luke 2:11

1 Peter 5:7

When Christmas feels heavy, grief and disappointment can make the season anything but merry&mdash;and that&rsquo;s exactly where the hope of Galatians 4:4&ndash;5 speaks loudest. This passage reminds us that Jesus came at the perfect time to redeem us, comfort us, and hold us when the holidays hurt. If you&rsquo;re walking through loss, financial strain, loneliness, or the ache of an empty seat at the table, this devotional offers space to breathe and brings your heart back to the truth that God meets you right where you are.
Highlights
<ul data-start="631" data-end="1043">
<li data-start="631" data-end="686">
Why a painful Christmas doesn&rsquo;t mean you lack faith
</li>
<li data-start="687" data-end="739">
Galatians 4:4&ndash;5 as an anchor in seasons of grief
</li>
<li data-start="740" data-end="792">
Giving yourself permission to feel what&rsquo;s honest
</li>
<li data-start="793" data-end="848">
How God makes room for sorrow, not just celebration
</li>
<li data-start="849" data-end="922">
Hope for those facing loss, divorce, financial strain, or uncertainty
</li>
<li data-start="923" data-end="987">
A reminder that Jesus stepped into a broken world&mdash;on purpose
</li>
<li data-start="988" data-end="1043">
Looking toward the day when all things are made new
</li>
</ul>
Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/holiday-gift-guide-2025/">Holiday Gift Guide</a>
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide&mdash;from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there&rsquo;s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
What to Do if Christmas Isn&rsquo;t Merry and Bright
By Vivian Bricker&nbsp;
Bible Reading:
&ldquo;But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship&rdquo; (Galatians 4:4-5).&nbsp;
Christmas can feel difficult for many reasons. Perhaps you&rsquo;re unable to afford presents for your children. Or, you might be facing your first Christmas without a loved one. Regardless of what we are going through when Christmas approaches, we need to remember that God doesn't expect us to be merry and bright just because it is the norm. He wants us to be genuine in our emotions and not afraid to reach out to Him.&nbsp;
I love Christmas because it&rsquo;s the day we get to celebrate the Lord&rsquo;s birth, yet I cannot run from the fact that I miss my mom terribly on this day. My mother also loved Christmas and always ensured it was a fun holiday celebration. Without her being here, it feels empty. These struggles can be really painful, especially around the holidays when we&rsquo;re expected to be joyful. But it is better to address our feelings rather than to run from them. For far too long, I had the habit of running from my pain.&nbsp;
Maybe this is what you are going through this Christmas as well. A loved one passed away, and you are feeling anything but merry and bright. Or maybe you and your spouse are going through a divorce, or a child is having a tough time at school, or you got laid off from your job rather than the Christmas bonus you were counting on. Regardless of what you are going through, know that God doesn't condemn you for struggling this Christmas. In fact, bring all of your troubles to Him and allow His grace to strengthen you.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
The Apostle Paul tells us, &ldquo;But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship&rdquo; (Galatians 4:4-5). This is the message of Christmas. Jesus was sent into the world to redeem us and bring us into His family.&nbsp;
Even though we are facing hardships this Christmas, we can still celebrate the Lord with our weary hearts. He will transform our weary hearts into hearts of steadfastness, strength, and hope. Reflect upon Galatians 4:4-5 and take notice of what it means to you this Christmas. Because of the Lord, everything will be made right one day. We won't have to deal with pain, agony, or hard times forever.&nbsp;
The day is coming when all things will be made new. The death of loved ones, the ending of marriages, and the betrayal of friends will be things of the past. Look forward to this day, and it will engulf your heart with peace. Jesus was born into the world to save us and bring us to Him. With this truth in our hearts, we can truly shine bright for Jesus this Christmas.&nbsp;
Is Christmas not feeling merry and bright this year? How can you bring these feelings to Jesus?&nbsp;
Reflect upon Galatians 4:4-5 and how it applies to you this Christmas. What are your key takeaways?
Further Reading:
Psalm 145:8-13
Luke 2:11
1 Peter 5:7

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

What to Do if Christmas Isn’t Merry and Bright

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/a69e2bd0-9ff7-44d8-aa3a-b3b1014282dc/transcript

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