Are You That Ugly Christmas Sweater?

‘Tis the season to start stressing. Not because of shopping. Not from all the traveling. Simply because it’s time to get together with family, and you know there’s but one question burning on everyone’s mind … “So, are you seeing anyone?”

If you’re like me, the hair on your arms just stood up. It is possibly the most dreaded moment of my holiday season. Every time my mom asks me that question, it’s like being drop-kicked in the stomach by a hot-cocoa-crazed Christmas elf! And when you say “No,” everyone looks at you like you’re the only person at the party wearing the ugly Christmas sweater.

So now you’re crammed into the corner at the far end of the dinner table between your married cousin and his wife, who are overtly lovey-dovey, and your Aunt who is now trying to sell you on the idea of online dating!

Oh, those fun, awkward moments of the holidays!

The good news is that you’ll survive. The question is how much of your sanity will.

The Christmas holidays can be a trying time for us singles. With everything about the season seemingly encouraging you to not be alone, it can be a lonely time.

Even though you might be surrounded by family and friends, the pressure of not being married can be overwhelming, and you can feel like an outcast on an island of misfit toys.

But the truth is that you are not being put on display like a tacky Christmas sweater for people to jovially gawk at with pity and think, “I’m glad I’m not that guy.”

On the contrary, you are a gift, wrapped and placed underneath the tree. You are what someone has been waiting to receive, like that coveted Red Ryder BB Gun. You are someone’s “Miracle on 34th Street,” so to speak. And someone is eagerly waiting to be surprised when God says, “I made this for you.” And as they tear off the wrapping paper and catch that first glimpse of you, their eyes will sparkle with joy, and they’ll say, “It’s just what I wanted!”

But keep in mind that a gift like that takes time to prepare. God is simply not content just to cut out the design, tack it together with some glue and slap some paint on it.

Remember the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

With each passing day, God is refining each of us—not just you, but your future spouse as well. He has carefully picked out every single thing about you, and with such attention to detail, we should be overjoyed when we consider the person he is fashioning for us.

So before you start singing the Grinch tune, take off your Scrooge hat and remember that you are God’s best gift for someone. Sure, you might have to spend a little while longer under the tree, but that’s a small price to pay for being someone’s “best gift ever.”

So hug your family, address their concerns with reassurance and wear your “ugly” Christmas sweater with joy, because one day soon, Christmas Future will become today. Then you’ll be someone’s present!

And that’s not just a message for you. I also have to remind myself of this during the holidays, because I am under that tree too. See me? I’m that awkwardly wrapped one in the corner!