Navigating grief this Christmas: faith in the midst of sorrow

Christmas is often painted as a season of joy and celebration, yet for many it arrives carrying fresh wounds, heavy memories, and unspoken sorrow. Writer Danielle Finch shares how faith has met her in the depths of grief, offering hope to those learning how to hold sorrow and trust in God together this festive season.

“Danielle, your Grandad has died.”

This was two days ago. Yet more pain entering into a storm of heartache; strokes, Alzheimer’s and fatal heart attacks.

I don’t know about you, but for our family it feels as though disaster strikes around Christmas. It has just turned four years since my own parents traumatically passed away. Yet through navigating my own grief, I have come to fully know that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34: 18). My prayer is that whatever you find yourself grieving this festive season, be it a bereavement, infertility, a broken marriage, shattered dreams - you would fully know Emmanuel - God with us.