The Greatest Gift of the Season? Grace.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. We’re rockin’ around the Christmas tree, jingling our bells, and decking our halls. Immerse yourself in your favorite holiday playlist, and it would seem that all the winter wonderlands are full of joy.

That’s how it may seem, but look a little closer, and you may find something different. Before you dismiss this as a depressing look at the holidays, hang in there for a moment. Keep reading – there’s hope at the end.

Looking around our circles over the past few weeks, it’s become clear that this time of year looks different for everyone. We have family, friends, coworkers, and clients that are facing some big challenges right now. Even amid the most wonderful time of the year, people we know are facing loss, health scares, lost jobs, divorce, and more. Look around your own circle, and you likely know people facing similar struggles. Maybe you’re the one in the middle of the storm right now.

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt do not take a break during the holidays. On the contrary, in some cases, the energy of the holidays seems to amp them up and make them worse.

Why share this, and where does the hope come from? If we look around and we make space to see people going through these kinds of challenges, we can give them the greatest gift of the season. What is that gift? Grace.

That client who snaps at you during the meeting? Show them some grace. That coworker who is struggling to keep up? Show them some grace. That friend who seems distant and less positive than usual? Show them some grace. That family member who isn’t grateful when you do something nice for them? Show them some grace.

Give the gift of grace this season. Forgive quickly. Try to step into their shoes as best you can. Be the listening ear they need, and lift them up when you see them falling down.

This season, we’ll wrap things in beautiful paper and nice bows, but at the end of the day, the greatest gift you can give may not be a thing at all. It may be grace.

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Be on the lookout for those people in your circle who could use a little grace… and then extend it to them without expecting anything in return. It may be the greatest gift they receive all season.