Ironically, the Christmas season, that most wonderful time of the year, is for many the most depressing time of the year. Sadly, for them it’s a miserable, not a merry Christmas. While there may be myriad reasons for the melancholy, four stand out as the primary cause for the sadness of the season. Consider this a cautionary exhortation to help you avoid falling into anyone one of these sloughs of despond.

1. Neglecting your walk.

Tis a busy time of the year, and it would be easy to get caught up in the hubbub of the holidays to the neglect of your soul. Keeping Christ in Christmas requires spending time with him in the Word and prayer. Don’t let this slide just because it’s Christmas. If you find yourself stressed out or discouraged at Christmastime, you may be sacrificing the eternal for the temporal. Get back to the prayer closet until the true meaning of Christmas fills you with hope and peace.

2. Becoming inwardly focused.

This second problem may stem from the first. Getting your focus off Christ can easily lead to becoming overly occupied with self. One of the signs of this is that you become more concerned with impressing than imparting. You want to wow others with your generosity and suddenly, the holidays are all about you. But when things don’t go as you had planned, or you fail to get the attention you want, you begin the slide into depression.

The cure for this is quite simple: Confess your selfishness and ask God to make you a blessing to others. Then find someone in need and do what you can to help. Give yourself up for your family, spending quality time with them, and discovering how you can make this Christmas wonderful for them.

3. Spending excessively.

Too many people enjoy the 25th at the expense of the 26th—or should I say the first of the month when the bills come due. Most Americans spend more than they earn and deficit spending at Christmas tends to dig the hole of debt even deeper. Many people spend money they don’t have, for things they don’t need, to impress people they don’t like. Harness those plastic people eaters and spend within your means this Christmas. Come 2019, you’ll be glad you did.

4. Managing your expectations.

People often get depressed at Christmas because of unmet expectations. They get built up for a letdown. They convince themselves that this year is going to be different. They’re going to enjoy every party, get every gift, dazzle others with presents, all the while maintaining their goal weight. The reality is usually encountering strife, not getting what they want, spending too much, and expanding their waistlines.

People often get depressed at Christmas because of unmet expectations.

One of the best ways to guarantee a blessed Christmas is to abide in Christ. I’m reminded of a bumper sticker that says, “I BRAKE FOR CHRISTMAS.” Spending time each day with Christ is vital in avoiding what’s become known as “the Christmas blues.” It will enable you to stop and smell the evergreens, to reflect on your blessings, and be a blessing to those around you.

From my heart and home, I wish you all a blessed holiday season filled with the joy of Jesus. He is and always will be the reason for the season. Thanks for reading my blog. I pray it’s been a source of encouragement to you, and if so, please share it with others. Merry Christmas!