Fellow introvert,
I understand your predicament, for I struggle through the same each Christmastime. The world is loud, and we are quiet and very much prefer to live quiet lives.
All we want is some peace to enjoy our time alone, and with God, and think and contemplate on the meaning of the season.
What can we do to find some Christ-centred peace in solitude, without offending anyone?
Being in Solitude is Not Being Alone or Lonely
Our strengths as introverts are our need for solitude. I know, some extroverts we know will always try to convert us, get us to go out more and accept every invitation to every social function that comes our way. In their mind, they’re simply trying to get us to ‘have some fun!’.
We, quiet ones, know that being in solitude doesn’t mean being alone or being lonely. Being in solitude is our quiet time to recharge, shut out the world, and shut ourselves in with God. It’s when we meditate on His Word, reflect on His love, mercy and grace, and worship Him in prayer of thanks and praise.
If you live alone, it’s the perfect time to look back at how far you’ve come with God and renew your faith and strength with His presence. It’s when you can write down all your goals and set up your systems for the new year, all with the Holy Spirit’s help, whose voice you will hear more clearly when you shut down all distractions.
Being in solitude is when you activate your quiet strength as an introvert. Solitude is a gift for deeper reflection when we intentionally make time and space for God. A direct contrast with societal expectations and demands of what Christmas is.
Practical Coping Strategy – Set Your Boundary
Saying ‘no’ to invitations can be difficult for us introverts, especially if we’re still in our people-pleasing phase. It can be difficult to decline invitations without feeling guilty.
I used to feel guilty about declining invitations from work colleagues to have a group dinner. I would say yes, then find myself stressing over what to wear, and organising how to get to the venue and back, and I never looked forward to the event. A few years ago, I simply decided to decline, and I did. Instead of going on yet another work function, I stayed home and enjoyed catching up with my nephews and nieces.
We introverts prefer quality, meaningful contact (a one phone call, a small family get-together, or attending a service at our local church) over large, draining crowds. Decide which small event you’d like to attend and only accept the invitation to that.
If you’d rather not attend any event or get-together this Christmas, then focus on your quiet time with God. Brew your favourite tea or coffee, play your favourite music, write in your diary, do some prayer journaling, or catch up on your sleep. If you have one, walk through your garden and simply observe nature’s quiet beauty.
Solitude is God’s Gift for Your Introverted Soul
Your quiet time is a unique space and time for you to hear the Holy Spirit. Solitude is God’s gift to us, and as introverts, we’re uniquely made to recognise it and use it. Being in solitude is being alone with God.
Cultivating our quiet time with God this Christmastime allows us to focus entirely on the anticipation (Advent) and incarnation (Christmas) without distraction.
Remember, God speaks through the still small voice.
Emmanuel, He is With You
God with us, that is the meaning of the name Emmanuel. God has not forgotten nor forsaken us. He knows that we’re faithful to Him in our own quiet way, and when we give Him our quiet soul, and allow Him access into all our quiet time, He will honour that, and He will use it for His glory.
Christ was born into a quiet, simple, and often lonely world. He is Emmanuel. He is with you.
May the grace of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus be with you, now and forevermore. Amen.
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