Dealing with Grief during Christmas

by Alleana Fuentes, MS, Mental Health Therapist

Here is a pinch of insight from Alleana: • … grief or pighati, ito ay “natural, normal, emotional response as a result of a loss.”… Any sort of loss can bring about this sensation this response, this feeling of grief. • … being available with our presence is the best thing that we can offer. • Minsan, kinekwestyon pa natin yung mga tao kung nakapag-move on na sila, … that’s something that we don’t want to demand from people because, … there’s no timeline in grief. • Hindi tayo nandoon para ayusin yung nararamdaman nila but we’re there to really sit with them through the pain, through the grief and be there for them. • We may not have the ideal way of mourning the loss, but your loss is still valid, the grieving and emotions that you’re feeling

are still very much real and true and you’re allowed to feel what you’re feeling. • Personal relationship with Christ really does help as well in getting that hope that maybe we can’t find. • Everyone grieves differently, may mga personal na journey path ang bawat tao sa pag-grieve so hindi natin siyang sabihin na isang strict timeline lang. • As cliche as it may sound, the easiest way out of grief is actually through it. Preno -proseso natin yung grief. • Actually, the more that we run away from it, the more we deny it, mas mapro-prolong ang grieving process. • … it’s really important for us to allow ourselves to just feel those feelings, even though it’s difficult, little by little until we reach a place where we’re okay. • In this time of grieving, I think mahalagang mag-turn din tayo

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sa Bible at makakita ng source of comfort. • Psalm 34:18, “The

Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” So when we feel like we can’t handle it on our own anymore, we also have Christ to turn to, to help us as we weep, as we mourn, as we grieve.

How to Deal with Grief

Ms. Alleana Fuentes shares insights on how to process grief and help those who are grieving.

When Grief Meets Hope

A story of a father who found hope after losing his son during the pandemic.

Our income has been affected by the pandemic. What should I do? This year, I don’t think I’ll be able to give the same amount of

Christmas gifts to my children.

Children always look forward to receiving gifts at Christmas while parents take great delight in giving it to their beloved kids.

But our nation’s economy has been hit hard by the long pandemic affecting the world and lessening our income this year. I believe your children have an awareness of this difficult situation because of the long lockdowns as well as their education being confined to online learning (classes). This can be a learning and teaching opportunity for both you and your kids.

Here are some teaching and learning take-aways for every family.

Tell them that despite the continuing pandemic they will have a meaningful Christmas celebration. Even if many families face a lot of limitations during Christmas, everyone should still celebrate because we have received the most wonderful gift of all, Jesus Christ our Savior. Jesus is still the reason for the season. Read the story of Jesus’ birth with them from the gospel of Luke chapter 2 and talk about what Christmas is really all about.

Gift-giving will always be part of Christmas but there will be times that the number of gifts will be limited due to different circumstances. Tell them to be thankful for whatever they will receive this year. Sometimes we forget to be grateful for the blessings we receive from God because we look for big things and neglect to appreciate the many small things that fill our needs each day. As a family, make a list of blessings that all of you received from God and then end this time by thanking God for what He has given.

Teach your kids to trust God in the face of challenges and difficulties. You can do this by being an example of trust and confidence in God’s power and care for all His children. When things go wrong don’t be a complainer but express confidence that God will help you to overcome the problem. The Bible contains many of God’s promises to help and provide for us in our time of need, read and learn them with your family. Pray with your children. This is a powerful example of trusting God!

Have a blessed and most Merry Christmas. God bless us all!