Warm and fuzzy television ads, radio Christmas music (since Halloween!), rushed and masked shoppers, continual online deliveries – do any of these things sound familiar? One of those radio songs tells us among others things that this time of year is what I described in the title of this post – the most wonderful time of the year.

However, for some people, this is a very hard time of the year. Not even factoring in the Covid situation, some of us are dealing with illness, loss, medical treatments, financial worries, and stressful family relationships. Then my thoughts go to those that are truly alone during this time of year – no one with whom to spend time, eat, or share a present or two.

Let me encourage those who feel alone or that no one cares about them to listen to the song I have included with this post. Jesus, referred to as Emmanuel at Christmastime, is “God with us.” He is with us – we are never alone.