Advent Devotional | Week 4

“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Immanuel, “which means, “God is with us.“  Matthew 1:23

On a quiet night two millennia ago, Mary and Joseph plodded along, looking for a place to give birth to a baby. Alone. Given the unusual circumstances of her pregnancy, friends were gone, and family were far away. Many times, Mary would have found herself alone. Now, as Jesus’ birth drew closer, I am certain she felt alone again.

We probably have had more solitude than we wished for over recent months. The elderly and those in long-term care were especially isolated. Working in the children’s mental health field, I also met many children and teenagers who found themselves isolated, quarantined and distanced – efforts meant to keep us physically safe – but with a cost to our mental well-being. Our brains were not meant to experience life alone, we are social creatures who need each other, especially in times of stress.

Perhaps you have gone through a time of loneliness. The friends were not there when you needed them; people didn’t “stop by” as they always used to; that birthday party never happened; that friendly encounter at the coffee shop…closed. For many, this can lead to despair and hopelessness – key ingredients for depression and anxiety.

What Mary went through would have taxed her mental well-being. This final part of the journey of pregnancy should have been joyful and anticipated with family and friends and well-wishers. But they are not to be found.

Yet in a very real way Mary was not alone – the Son of God was within her! Jesus lives within us too! That has the power to lift any soul.

And there is more! God saw Mary’s loneliness and brought companionship and the joy of being surrounded by others in the unlikeliest of ways – lowly shepherds, magi from afar, a loyal husband, and a healthy baby in a manger.

During this Advent season may you also find respite from loneliness by contemplating on Christ who is with us always – yesterday, today and forever – and by recognizing the unexpected ways God brings unlikely visitors.

Better yet – will you be someone’s visiting shepherd or wise man, or bring the ever-presence of Jesus to someone’s lonely soul?

Dr. Rob Meeder
Medical Director,
Family Child and Youth Mental Health,
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care

Prayer

Lord, there are times in my life when I feel alone with no one being able to offer companionship or comfort. During such moments, remind me by the power of your Word that I am never alone, and that You are within me.

Application

Is there someone in your life who is waiting for you to make a connection? Can your presence or words offer comfort? This time of the year, can you be the one who spreads cheer to a lonely soul?