By Tina Aaron (“Gigi”), Program Director & Co-Founder
HARTT Counseling & Wellness | Jasper, Alabama
The holidays have a way of shining a light on both our joy and our pain. As someone who lost my brother at 13 and then both of my parents by the time I was 32, I know personally how Christmas can carry a mixture of celebration and sorrow.
There are still moments when the weight of grief shows up unexpectedly. I’ll catch myself wishing my loved ones could see the people my children have become or meet the grandchildren they never got to hold. Grief often appears in those quiet, tender places of longing.
But alongside that ache, there is also joy — a deep, sustaining joy rooted in my faith. I rest in the truth that my loved ones are with the Lord, whole and healed, and that I will be reunited with them one day. That hope doesn’t erase grief, but it transforms it. It makes it bearable. It brings peace.
Over the years, I have also learned that many of the things we believe about grief — especially during the holidays — are simply not true. Some misconceptions can make grief even heavier to carry. Below are three of the most common myths I’ve encountered, along with the truth that can help us move through the season with compassion and grace.
Myth #1: “You should be over it by now.”
Truth: Grief has no expiration date.
Losing someone you deeply love changes you forever. Grief softens with time, but it doesn’t disappear — and it shouldn’t. The love remains, and so does the longing. Scripture reminds us that mourning is a normal and ongoing human experience. You never need to rush your healing to match someone else’s expectations.
Myth #2: “Feeling sad during the holidays means you’re not grateful.”
Truth: You can experience gratitude and grief at the same time.
The holiday season often stirs up memories and longing, but feeling sad does not mean you’re unthankful. Jesus Himself wept at loss (John 11:35). Tears don’t diminish gratitude; they reveal the depth of love. God is big enough to hold both your gratitude and your heartbreak in the same season.
Myth #3: “If you have strong faith, grief shouldn’t hurt this much.”
Truth: Faith doesn’t erase pain — faith carries you through it.
The Bible never promises that believers won’t grieve; it promises that we won’t grieve without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Faith does not numb us — it sustains us. It reminds us that Heaven is real, that our loved ones are safe, and that reunion is part of God’s story. That truth has carried me through every holiday without the people I still miss every day.
If you would like to read all 10 myths and truths, we’ve placed the full list on our website so you can access it anytime and share it with someone who may need encouragement this season.
As we celebrate Christmas, my prayer is that you feel the peace and presence of God — even if your joy is mixed with grief. You are not alone. Your feelings are valid. And your hope is secure in Christ.
I wish you a Christmas filled with gentle moments of comfort, deep gratitude, and the quiet assurance that God is near to the brokenhearted.
Learn more about our counseling services and how we support individuals and families across Walker County. Healing starts here.
Tina Aaron (“Gigi”)
HARTT Counseling & Wellness | Jasper, AL
