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Peace Notes Winter 2019/20 - Word of Peace Lutheran Church

Word of Peace Lutheran Church, Rogers, MN

Word of Peace Lutheran Church, Rogers, MN

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Battling the<br />

Christmas Blues<br />

by Pastor Kristin Skare<br />

While images <strong>of</strong> joy and love fill storefronts and Christmas cards, the holidays are not merry for everyone. The<br />

Christmas Blues are very real for people who are living with loss, suffering from depression, experiencing the<br />

end <strong>of</strong> a relationship, grieving the death <strong>of</strong> someone they love, living with illness, or struggling with financial<br />

stress. Changes to our schedule, our self-care routines, and to our expectations may compound this difficult<br />

season.<br />

What can we do to keep from being overwhelmed by the<br />

Christmas Blues?<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Be honest with your feelings. Don’t keep them bottled<br />

up. Share your feelings with someone you trust or write<br />

them down in a journal.<br />

Be gentle with yourself. It’s okay to say “no” to holiday<br />

parties and activities in order to maintain self-care.<br />

Eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. By caring for<br />

your body you care for your soul.<br />

Spend time in prayer.<br />

If you or someone you know is experiencing the Christmas<br />

Blues, we invite you to Promises <strong>of</strong> Hope on Tuesday, December<br />

17. This worship service is designed especially for<br />

people who are experiencing loss or heartache <strong>of</strong> any kind.<br />

It is a way for you to be surrounded by people who know<br />

how you feel because they are feeling the same way. You<br />

won’t be asked to do anything. You’re invited to just come<br />

and receive the reassuring promise that you are not alone,<br />

God is with you, and your congregation is praying for you.<br />

Questions? Contact Pastor Kristin Skare at (763) 496-2404 or<br />

kskare@word<strong>of</strong>peace.org.<br />

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