I’ve been a Christian psychologist in practice for 22 years.

Every year clients wonder aloud to me about how they are going to ‘make it through Christmas’. This year, however, my concern for people has deepened significantly.

My heart is heavy.

Before I tell you why let me mention what is typical. By the way, I’m not quoting statistics below but sharing actual observations from my own practice over the years:

Many experience increased feelings of loneliness during the Christmas season.
Many feel more depressed and anxious at Christmas.
Many feel stretched to their end with a never-ending list of preparations.
And many struggle to make ends meet and provide the type of Christmas presents they want for their families.

So that’s a typical year. But this year I’ve noticed something different:

Loneliness and mental health needs have skyrocketed. Our front office phone does not stop ringing. We are deluged with calls. People report difficulties getting into counseling anywhere.
I observe many who struggle this year to simply pay bills and put food on the table for their families. I worry they may be tempted to use credit to fund Christmas.

So I wrote my Christmas Wish list for this year which I’d like to share with you. I wish that you and I would:

Call or visit one struggling or lonely person who comes to mind. We can do this even if we feel lonely ourselves!
Say thank you or something nice to more people this year. In fact, studies show that when we express gratitude or reach out to encourage someone else, our own sense of well-being increases!
Remove just one item from our “to-do” list. So many struggle to enjoy Christmas and feel harried to get it all done. What about picking just one thing to remove from the list? And don’t replace it! Or find one night on the calendar with an activity they don’t really need to do and decide to stay home instead.
Find one way to spend less money if you’re financially stretched. Maybe there’s a situation or two where a thoughtful or practical and less expensive gift would do just as well as a pricy one.
For example, guess what one of my sons gave me for Mother’s Day this year? A printed photo of me and him together! Know where that photo is now? You guessed it. Hanging on my wall!
And I wish that none of us forget the most important thing: the true meaning of Christmas. God sent Jesus for you and me and all the world so that we can experience the salvation and true joy that only He can give.

In fact, I invite you now to join me. Let’s take a few extra minutes to reflect on this truth and give thanks to the Giver of All Good Things.

Finally, my wish for you is that you have a little more joy, a little more peace, and a little less pain this Christmas.

My Christmas Wish List (from a Christian Psychologist)