The Dark Side of Advent: Saints and Seasonal Depression

Hi, Friends!

This past Sunday, I was asked to preach for my dad, and the Lord put it on my heart to talk about the dark side of Advent.

Advent, friends, is the season we celebrate the birth of Christ. There’s glitter and tinsel all around. Christmas trees are lit up with bright lights, shiny ornaments, and pretty bows. This season is depicted as one of joy and light. Yet for many of the saints of God, Advent carries a burden of heaviness, darkness, anxiety and grief. Many of us feel immense pressure to try to exude performative joy while silently fighting a sense of despair. Seasonal depression intensifies as we lose several hours of sunlight. And with talks of recession, the rising prices of groceries, and tariffs galore, it is probably hard for most of us to get into the “Christmas spirit”. If you are feeling this way, you are not alone.

Seasonal Depression Is Real

Seasonal depression, clinically referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a type of depression linked to changes in seasons, most often beginning in the fall or winter and easing in the spring. It is not simply “feeling down” or lacking holiday spirit. It is a recognized mental health condition with biological, emotional, and social components.

Common symptoms of winter-pattern SAD include:

Persistent sadness, hopelessness, irritability, anxiety, or apathy

Low energy, fatigue, and lethargy

Oversleeping or difficulty staying awake

Increased appetite, especially cravings for carbohydrates and fatty foods, often leading to weight gain

Social withdrawal and a desire to isolate

In severe cases, thoughts of death or suicide require immediate professional support

Seasonal depression is closely tied to reduced exposure to sunlight, which disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm. Less sunlight affects serotonin (which helps regulate mood) and melatonin (which governs sleep). Genetics can also play a role, meaning some individuals are more vulnerable through no fault of their own. Did you ever see your mom seem sadder closer to the holidays? Or maybe notice your uncle drinking more? These factors can indicate a genetic predisposition to SAD.

Add to this the emotional realities of the season: grief over loved ones who are no longer here, strained relationships, loneliness, and financial stress. For many households, this time of year brings “more month than money,” alongside the pressure to make Christmas joyful for children and family while quietly managing personal exhaustion.

Advent can feel dark because, for many, it is.

The Gospel of John: The Gospel Does Not Avoid the Darkness

I know when most of us think about Advent scriptures, we tend to refer yo Luke chapters 1 and 2. But my sermon from Sunday went to the book of John 1: 5, 9, and 14. No, John doesn’t mention in this text angels singing. He begins with creation, chaos, and the void that preceded creation.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

John situates Advent not in sentimentality, but in reality. He acknowledges that the world into which Jesus came was already broken.

Then he makes a declaration that speaks directly to those navigating depression and grief:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

Notice what the text does not say. It does not say the darkness disappears. It does not say the darkness never existed. It says the darkness does not get the final word.

This is the permission you have been looking for, friends. You don’t have to fake it until you make it anymore. It is truly ok to not be ok. The Advent season does not mean to deny the pain you’re feeling for the sake of making others feel jolly. Name your pain and sit with it, but remember—it is not finite.

Why Jesus Had to Come

John goes on to say:

“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)

This is the heart of Advent.

God did not remain distant from human suffering. God did not offer encouragement from afar. God entered the darkness.

Jesus came to fully embody human life. Jesus experienced fatigue, frustration, grief, sorrow, homelessness, and hunger. He came not only to redeem humanity but to be with humanity. God’s response to suffering was not to grow more distant. God, in fact, decided that it was time for embodiment. God responded to suffering with incarnation.

The prophet Isaiah declared it long before the manger:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2)

These people walked in darkness head-on. The announcement of Jesus’ arrival was not met with a trouble-free community. In fact, these people, like us, faced high taxes and low wages, fear, and uncertainty about their future.

“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

Faith, Mental Health, and Seeking Help

It is important to say clearly: seasonal depression is treatable, and seeking help is not a failure of faith.

Evidence-based approaches to managing SAD include:

Light therapy, using special light boxes to mimic sunlight

Lifestyle changes, such as increasing exposure to natural light, exercising (especially outdoors) [this has genuinely changed my life—more on that in a later blog post], eating balanced meals, and managing stress through practices like meditation or yoga

Psychotherapy, including talk therapy

Medication, such as antidepressants, when clinically appropriate

If you or someone you love is experiencing severe depression or thoughts of suicide, professional help is essential. God often brings healing through clinicians, therapists, and community support. Faith and pharmaceuticals can coexist. Seek help if you need it. God will not disown you.

The Dark Side of Advent Is Not the End of the Story

Advent teaches us that in the midst of our darkest moments, God can and will show up. God may not immediately remove our grief, but the Holy Spirit in the form of the Comforter can help us navigate our painful moments. If this season feels heavy for you, you are not alone. And no, you are not a faithless generation because you are feeling the weight and the burden of the time we are in.

Remember, you are “incurably human”. But God loves you so much in your humanity. You are not broken. You are seen. You are heard. You are loved. It is in the dark side of Advent where the light of the world is born.

Be encouraged!