Christmas, the Ultimate Example of Empathy
Claudia Graf
MA, LPC
12/8/2025
Christmas music is playing everywhere, the smell of candles and hot chocolate fills the air, Christmas trees, colorful lights, and candles lighting up streets and rooms - it is December, the season of Advent. In the busyness of presents, planning Christmas parties, and cooking, it can be easy to forget what this season is all about. Advent is the time leading up to and anticipating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas - the moment when God became human. And no, he did not come as a wealthy king to live in a palace. Jesus was born to a poor Middle Eastern family in a stable and was first worshipped by simple shepherds. He also became a refugee soon after his birth, having to flee with his parents, Mary and Joseph, because King Herod was seeking to take his life (Luke 2; Matthew 2). God demonstrated the ultimate form of empathy - he stepped in our shoes and can relate to our human experience with its joys but also its pain, challenges, and struggles. He truly understands our perspective, thoughts, and feelings.
We all have a different story - we come from various cultural backgrounds, some are rich, others are wondering where they will sleep tonight, or they might be dealing with physical and mental health issues. Yet others are spending this Christmas season in a prison cell because they are being persecuted for their faith. Let’s remember this Christmas that God calls us to see others through his eyes, and he does not discriminate based on income, skin color, country of origin, or diagnoses. Use this Advent season to be curious and try to understand someone’s experience that is different from your own. Let us live up to God’s command to take care of the poor and the immigrants, to do what is right, and to love mercy and to give freely (Micah 6:8, Proverbs 19:7, Matthew 24:34-40, Leviticus 19:33-34). Try to see in someone else’s shoes and see the world through their eyes for a few minutes, and practice generosity. Remember the reason for this season and be kind, as we do not know what others are going through - we all have a story.