3 Christmas Traditions for Singles to Make the Season Meaningful

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1. Intentionally Celebrate Advent

Christmas has significant spiritual meaning for Christians. It is foundational to our faith. Although it can be easy to become distracted by and even caught up in the holiday's commercialism, it is important we are intentional about celebrating Advent. This is equally true for singles, as it provides an anchor to keep us grounded during the most wonderful time of the year.

Advent is a beautiful fulfillment of God's love for us, demonstrated through Jesus igniting our love for Him. We are reminded in 1 John 4:9 (NLT), "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him." Oh beloved, this is the best reason for us to intentionally celebrate Advent!

Highlighting Christmas's purpose from the perspective of Advent helps us keep things in proper view. Some ideas might include lighting candles on an advent wreath to focus on the four themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy, and love. Another idea is to have an advent calendar that serves as a daily visual reminder of the advent themes. Whatever ways we may choose to intentionally celebrate Advent will be meaningful because we willfully honor traditions that are Christ-centered. Singles can incorporate these traditions into their celebrations as individuals or participate with them in community with others.

2. Gather With Friends to Celebrate

Although this might seem obvious to some, the reality is that Christmas can be a time when many people struggle with loneliness, grief, and even depression. What should be a season filled with happiness and anticipation can feel ladened with reasons to retreat in isolation from the world around us. Single people can feel a compounded effect because they are unmarried and tend to live alone.

With this said, it is important we do not give into the temptation to pull away from friends. We need to submerge ourselves in community at all times, especially when we are battling sadness, disappointment, or feeling vulnerable. Our friends can encourage us, support us, and lift our spirits. One of the best ways we can experience the hope, peace, joy, and love of Advent is through the presence of our friends.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) says, "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." When we gather with friends to celebrate, we reap the benefits of being in community. May we not forget that we often find encouragement from fellowship with believers who build us up as we reciprocate encouragement and edify them. What matters most is that this happens organically, even if not in tandem.

Is there a holiday activity you might be interested in? Has it been a while since you have connected with someone emotionally and relationally? Christmas is the perfect opportunity to "phone a friend" or text them to initiate getting together for some down time or fun time. When we gather with friends, it helps to refresh us and create memories of special traditions as we gather together.

3. Spend Time Alone to Reflect

With all of the holiday busyness, one way we can respect the sacredness of the season is by taking time to reflect. Reflection is powerful and can be a meaningful tradition to practice during Advent. In particular, singles can find this tradition beneficial in engaging and internalizing the beauty of Advent from a spiritual vantage point.

It is important that we reflect upon the meaning of Christmas, but this time of the year is also a great opportunity to evaluate the year in review, assess progress on goals, and seek God in preparation for the new year. Spending time alone to reflect as a single person is empowering because you are inviting God to guide your reflection through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 16:11 (ESV) says, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." God often reveals His path for our life as we spend time alone in His presence in silence and solitude to reflect. There is overwhelming solace to discover for our souls.

As single Christians, it is important that we are not intimidated by the idea of being alone in the presence of God. Our marital status should not negatively impact our ability to embrace time of reflection about where we are on our journey of life. Being alone does not have to carry an unfavorable connotation as a Christian single because we realize that even when we are alone, we really are not. As a matter of fact, there is great contentment in knowing we are never left alone or abandoned.

The fulfillment, satisfaction, and contentment experienced in the presence of God is not to be compared to any other. Practicing a tradition of spending time alone to reflect can truly become a most desired and anticipated tradition to mark celebration of the season. I have personally found this to be rewarding and look forward to this time of reflection. Combining it with intentional prayer and fasting is likewise spiritually gratifying.