As a pastor or church leader, you know the holidays aren’t joyful for everyone. For those in your congregation who are grieving the loss of a loved one, Thanksgiving and Christmas can feel hollow, overwhelming even. Empty chairs at the table and silent phones where laughter once lived serve as painful reminders that their lives will never be the same.
While many are decking the halls, others can barely hold it together.
This contrast makes the holiday season one of the most strategic times for your church to offer comfort—and one of the most tender moments to point people to the healing hope of Christ.
When holiday grief takes hold
From the outside, many grieving individuals look composed. They still show up to work, attend services, and sometimes volunteer for events. Inside, they may still be silently asking:
- “How do I get through Christmas without my loved one?”
- “Will this pain ever ease?”
- “Why would God let this happen?”
The holidays often intensify grief. Festivities highlight absence. Traditions feel out of place. Expectations drain already-depleted emotional reserves.
“Christmas,” says one GriefShare participant, “was a day I just wanted to come—and go.”
Why faith still matters
For many, faith can be a lifeline in grief. For others, loss shakes their spiritual foundation. That’s where your church can step in—not with quick fixes or holiday platitudes, but with real, ongoing support rooted in compassion and biblical truth.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 reminds us that God comforts us in our troubles so we can comfort others. As ministry leaders, God has uniquely positioned you to fulfill this call.
“The most important relationship we can ever have,” says counselor Dr. Elias Moitinho, “is a relationship with God. When you don’t have friends and family around this holiday season, God is there.”
Introduce a path to healing
One simple, powerful way to support grieving people during the holidays is by hosting a Surviving the Holidays event through GriefShare. This 2-hour seminar helps attendees:
- Understand that their emotions are normal
- Make a simple holiday plan
- Navigate emotional ambushes
- Find hope through God’s promises
It’s not a lecture. It’s a lifeline.
Lay volunteers can lead these events, and participants don’t need to be active members of your church—or any church at all. In fact, many who attend are searching for spiritual answers and a supportive community. GriefShare often becomes their introduction to both.
What faith looks like in the midst of pain
Faith during the holidays might not look like cheerful songs or perfect attendance. It might look like sitting silently with someone during a service. Or encouraging someone to express their sadness rather than suppress it.
“I just wanted to skip the season entirely,” shares a participant. “But knowing I wasn’t alone—and that my pain was seen—gave me strength.”
When your church provides a place where you acknowledge grief and extend compassion, you create space for healing. You offer the hope that Christ promises, and model a faith that holds firm even in hearts broken.
You don’t need to do it alone
GriefShare provides everything you need to start. It’s turnkey, biblically based, and trusted by over 30,000 churches worldwide. Best of all, it empowers lay leaders to offer ongoing, structured support for the hurting in your community.
Sign up to host GriefShare in your church.
The holidays are approaching fast. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet people in their pain and help them encounter the hope of Christ.
