It is quite amazing how for many people this is the worst part of the year. They have no-one to share with, they feel all alone in the midst of everyone else spending time with their families and friends. There is no Christmas cheer and no gifts under the proverbial tree. There is good news for the lonely though, Paul a writer in the new testament writes: “God is building a home. He’s using us all – irrespective of how we got here – in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day – a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home” (Eph 2:19-22 TM). And if you dare you might find a home here too, a family waiting to love and hold you.
There are times when we need to be alone with God, but more about that later. There are other times when we can only experience the fullness of His presence as we come together with His people. The church should be like a huge Big Fat Greek Family with thousands of kids (with all the derivatives of Nick, Nicci, Nico, Big Nick etc). Seriously though, when people who are individually indwelt by the Spirit meet there for worship, praise, encouragement and service, God’s Spirit shows up in a powerful way and we grow as we experience His presence and hear His Word.
The world and circumstances may beat us up all week and make us feel like lonely losers, but when we gather with other members of Christ’s body we are reminded that we are united on the winning side. It’s hard to celebrate all by yourself. When you have something worth celebrating you call folks together so you can share the joy. Jesus Christ is so excited about His victory at the cross that He calls us together each week to celebrate what He achieved for us. And celebration, like spiritual growth, is a group project, family time. But to be able to celebrate each week we also need to be alone each week.

I used to battle this thing of being alone, my victory came in understanding the difference between being lonely and being alone. They are two different things. God promises you that you will never be lonely,  His word says “He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Never is a very big word.

Being alone isn’t always a bad thing too. In fact there are times when it’s absolutely necessary in order to hear from God. The Bible points out that Jesus: 

“often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Lk 5:16 NIV);

“withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place” (Mt 14:13 NIV);

“went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone” (Mt 14:23 NIV);

“when he was alone, the Twelve…asked him about the parables” (Mk 4:10 NIV).

In the Old Testament “Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak” (Ge 32:24 NIV).

Your greatest spiritual victories come from the battles God calls you to fight when you’re alone. Most times He outlines and clarifies His plans for your life when there’s nobody else around. That’s because He wants you to be more influenced by Him, than them!
When God’s grooming you for a special work you’ll be required to spend time outside the company of others. In Exodus God said, “Moses alone is to approach…the people may not come up with him”. When Elijah spent the night alone in a cave, God told him to “Go out and stand on the mountain…for the Lord is about to pass by”. Daniel “was left alone, gazing at this great vision”, and Jeremiah wrote: “I sat alone because your hand was on me.” Learn to understand the difference between being lonely and being alone. When God sidelines you consider it an honor, glean all you can, then move to the next level.