For all of us that don't have happy homes, mates, or good families to share Christmas with, loneliness is clearly exasperated during the Christmas New Year's holiday season. I see 3 options for dealing with this:
First, one can take the Scrooge attitude by hating, rejecting, or avoiding the occasion as much as possible. And while many people do this, it sure seems like a sad path to willingly follow - one that must be refaced each year. I'd suggest that such a choice is a poor one that only adds to life's disappointments unnecessarily.
Second, one can make the best effort possible by reaching out to others and enjoying a piece of the extra cheer and social gatherings that prevail everywhere. Tiina63, you did good going to a church function, even if it wasn't a complete fulfillment of your needs. And Constant stranger, you did good trying an airport bar, even if it wasn't a complete fulfillment of your needs. I myself used to go out to my favorite country bar on Christmas Eve, finding the place almost completely empty. But, it made for an easy conversation with the few others who were there and ultimately gave me a little bit of the human companionship I needed. No, it didn't negate the feelings of loneliness, but it helped me better cope with them for a couple of hours at least and served as a good and legitimate diversion. Don't forget, your befriending another lonely soul on Christmas Eve may very well be an act of love and grace from yourself to another, and that's a worthwhile effort.
Before moving on to the next point, I'd like to counter Bluey's comment about attending a Christmas church function as a non-believer. I don't think anyone at most any church would consider that an act of hypocrisy. Understand, most churches have a number of unbelievers in attendance every week, and they're quite welcome. Of course, it is the hope of all church members that the unbelievers will eventually join the family with their beliefs, but it's only through their love and acceptance of them that this might happen. Meanwhile, I'd recommend any good Christian church as a great place to spend part of Christmas Eve. Believer or not, you'll be welcomed there amongst strangers more than most places. I finally realized this myself when I traded my Christmas Eve bar for a great church service. It WAS awkward walking in alone and seeing all the family groups and friends who knew each other. But, I enjoyed the service, had many friendly greetings, and walked out knowing it was a great thing to do. I realize too that if I'd do that every week, I'd soon be one of those groups of friends who knew each other. No hypocrisy there to worry about. You're on safe ground.
Third, one can go beyond the secular traditions and focus on the religious meaning of the occasion. For anyone knowing and loving Jesus, celebrating his birth as Creator, Lord, and Savior can be a very personal, satisfying, and enjoyable affair - even if alone. It's the same with heaven. People will some day cry when they're not allowed there, choosing instead an eternal life of torment over one of paradise. Yet, they were invited and chose to reject the one who lovingly invited them. Might I suggest that embracing the Christian meaning of the holiday season can not only make the occasion something to look forward to and celebrate, but might also provide some added peace and joy to every year of the rest of your life. You might think about that before the next Christmas season rolls around - with another year of your life passed.
