Finding Hope in the Holidays: How Advent Counters Loneliness

 – Highlights from “To Be and Do” Episode 141.120925.ToBeEn.FINAL

The holiday season is often painted as a time of unending joy, full of family gatherings, celebrations, and traditions. Yet, for many, Advent and Christmas can also magnify feelings of loneliness, loss, and disconnection. In this episode  of the "To Be Encouraged" podcast,  Rev. Dr. Brad Miller and  Bishop Julius C. Trimble engage in a heartfelt conversation about the realities of the Christmas “blues” and, most importantly, how faith and community offer genuine antidotes to these struggles.

Here are three key takeaways from their insightful dialogue:

1. Advent Is a Time of Both Anticipation and Vulnerability

Bishop Julius C. Trimble reminds listeners that, for Christians, Advent isn’t just about celebration—it’s a spiritual season of preparation and honest self-reflection. He notes that beyond the joyful traditions, many people experience grief and loneliness, especially as the absence of loved ones is keenly felt. “[Advent] is often a season of grief because you remember the people that have lost or people that are no longer with you,” he says. Recognizing these emotions rather than ignoring them is an authentic part of the Advent journey.

2. Building Community and Serving Others Counteracts Loneliness

A profound theme in this episode is the healing power of community. Both speakers recount personal stories—whether being stuck alone in a traffic jam on Christmas or receiving an unexpected invitation for a holiday meal. Bishop Julius C. Trimble emphasizes that isolation is a growing epidemic, but offers hope: “One of the greatest antidotes to loneliness is service.” Acts of outreach—inviting someone for a meal, serving together, or simply offering a tangible sign of care—create communal bonds. Both the “Bowling Alone” metaphor and stories from local ministries reinforce the life-changing difference genuine connection can make.

3. Faith Calls Us to Welcome the Stranger and Break Stigma

The hosts explore the message at the heart of the Nativity: those on the margins—Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and wise men—are integral to the story. The Christmas narrative is an open invitation to embrace the “other,” whether that’s the lonely person on the city bus or those sitting in church on Christmas Eve for the first time. Bishop Julius C. Trimble and Rev. Dr. Brad Miller discuss the importance of being “ambassadors” for welcoming churches and call on faith communities to remove barriers for the lonely, including the stigma surrounding seeking help. “If you find yourself in a deeper ditch, you really need to get a therapist or a counselor...reach out for help,” Bishop Julius C. Trimble encourages.

Conclusion: The Light We Share

The episode closes with a beautiful reminder: just as candles illuminate the darkness during Advent, so can small acts of kindness, connection, and service bring warmth and hope to those struggling through the season. “God loves you in a very special way…You matter. You are enough,” Bishop Julius C. Trimble affirms.

If the holidays bring you joy, remember to share that light with others. And if you’re struggling, know that you are not alone—community, faith, and hope are there to meet you, just as Advent promises.

Find more encouragement by subscribing to “To Be and Do” or visiting tobeencouraged.com.