According to the traditional carol, Christmas "is the most wonderful time of the year"—at least it's supposed to work that way. But sadly, for many people it's the loneliest time of the year. This week's featured illustration focuses on an elderly hospital patient who asks her doctor, "Can you give me a prescription for loneliness?" Use this powerful story to invite your people to reach out to the lost and forgotten during this Christmas season.

As a subscriber you can also access the following items:

• Featured Sermon: The Great Polarizer, by Kent Edwards
• New Skills Article: Liking the Lectionary, by Timothy J. Peck
• Video Illustration: Everyone Worships Something

May God richly bless these wonderful seasons of Advent and Christmas.

Preaching Christ,

Matt Woodley
Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.