December is a crazy busy, difficult month. Yes, there’s last-minute Christmas shopping and picking out the perfect ham, but even more, Christmas hymns and traditions bring back memories of loved ones now in heaven. Movies and messages point to happy families, but what do we do when we’re lonely and missing those we love?

The apostle Paul tells us to set our mind on things above. Advent is a time to meditate not only on Jesus’ birth but also his second coming. His birth is just the beginning of the story. Jesus is coming back.

First Thessalonians 4:16-17 reminds us: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven . . . and so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Our days on earth have plenty of sorrow and trouble and heartache, but we have something better than Christmas to look forward to. But not everyone does!

We set our hearts on things above, while being mindful of the people on earth. Someone you know doesn’t have the peace of knowing they will see their loved ones again. Your neighbors or friends or co-workers may watch Hallmark movies only to turn off the TV and wonder when or if they’ll ever see a happily ever after.

This year, as you focus on things above, pray for opportunities to tell others of the hope you have. Pray for boldness to speak about Jesus, who carried our sorrow that we might have joy. And use your grief as fuel to care far less about a perfect here and now, to focus on giving others the gift that leads them to everlasting perfection.