The holiday season comes clothed in glittering lights, familiar hymns, and cherished traditions. It is often spoken of as a season of joy and celebration, rich with togetherness and expectation. Yet for those walking through grief, this sacred season meets a tender heart, and the holidays can feel heavy, quiet, and anything but joyful. Grief has a way of amplifying everything, and during the holidays, it speaks louder. Every ornament pulled from a box carries a memory. Every

The Christmas season has a way of magnifying what and who is missing. Everywhere we turn, people are celebrating “the most wonderful time of the year,” yet for those grieving, it can feel like the heaviest. The lights may sparkle, but our hearts don’t always shine the same way they once did. And the tension between what the world expects and what our souls can carry becomes especially real. One of the hardest parts of the holidays is figuring out how to handle invitations, ga

In just a couple of days, families will gather around tables filled with food, laughter, and stories. Yet for many, this week feels different. There’s an empty place where a loved one once sat — a silence that speaks louder than any words.

Friends, every year around this time, I’m reminded how the holidays can stir both joy and heartache. When the holidays feel heavy, all I can think about is how many of us will miss our loved ones on Thanksgiving and the empty chair facing us.

The Thanksgiving season invites us to count our blessings, to reflect on God’s goodness, and to gather with those we love. But when grief is part of our story, these traditions can feel bittersweet. How do we give thanks when our hearts are broken?