Christmas isn’t all romance movies or bright paper packages tied up with string. For many, December ushers in the reality of a baby in the NICU, a dying loved one, an empty chair at the table, or a pending divorce—leaving people crushed and brokenhearted. Grief has a way of rising to the surface during the holidays, even when we don’t invite it. What if grieving with the Spirit of Christmas looks like entrusting our sorrow to the Holy Spirit—the Comforter who meets us where we are?
What if, instead of trying to push past these deep pools of pain, we learned to make sacred space for them?
It’s the third week of Advent, and we are back with Cynthia Ruchti, Author of the Advent devotional, The Spirit of Christmas.
Grieving with the Spirit
In this tender and hope-filled episode, we explore:
- The quiet but deep pool of pain many carry during the holiday season
- The Holy Spirit’s role as our Comforter—present, gentle, attentive
- How ordinary acts, like making your bed, can become grace-filled steps in your grieving and healing
- Why grace upon grace is God’s steady gift for those navigating grief at Christmastime
If you’re aching or hurting this Christmas, there is grace for that—real, sustaining grace through the Holy Spirit. Listen in and be reminded that the Spirit brings what Jesus came to bring: God’s generosity, His nearness, and His unending grace upon grace.
💬 Spirit of Christmas Quotes from Cynthia Ruchti:
“The Holy Spirit is Emmanuel who never leaves.”
“There’s so much dark this time of year, in us and around us. And that’s exactly the reason why our paying attention to where the Holy Spirit is in this story is what’s going to make a difference as we lead up to Christmas.”
“If the Holy Spirit stayed for Mary, then won’t He stay for us too?”
Prayer for Grieving with the Spirit:
“ Spirit of God, thank you for not leaving Mary or us alone. As we carry out the assignments and the adventures, and even the griefs into which you have invited us, soften our hearts to be eager with our yes to you. Mm-hmm. And to lean into the comfort that you have provided. Amen.” -Cynthia Ruchti
Grieving with the Spirit and Pondering:
“The Holy Spirit is Emmanuel who never leaves us.” -Cynthia Ruchti. What difference does this truth make in your grieving?
Resources:
🎄Cynthia Ruchti’s The Roles of the Holy Spirit printable
🎄Jennifer Sakata’s Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas downloadable
🎄An excerpt from Cynthia’s devotional The Spirit of Christmas
🎄Cynthia’s book, The Spirit of Christmas
🎶 Cynthia’s go-to grace song: Worthy of It All by CeCe Winans
Connect with Cynthia Ruchti:
Website: cynthiaruchti.com
Instagram: cynthiaruchtiauthor
Facebook: cynthiaruchti
Related Episodes:
Ep. 65 Pausing with the Spirit of Christmas | Cynthia Ruchti
Ep. 64 Living with a Yes Heart at Christmas | Cynthia Ruchti
Ep. 63 Discovering the Spirit of Christmas | Cynthia Ruchti
Ep. 22 Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas | Jennifer Sakata
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
🎁 My FREE gift to you: Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas
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