Darkness of and after Christmas

I had a great Christmas eve, with a 5 pm family nativity with more attendees then anyone thought to an 11 pm midnight service which had heaps of energy and excitement. In between my wife and I had our Christmas dinner. Then it was time for rest; I didn't sleep well, before I knew it I was awake for the Christmas day service. It was a bit more clunky from a serving point of view, no one would have noticed. I tried to sleep; then I just couldn't.

I wasn't a christian growing up, Christmas was big but also not important. Christmas had family engagement until about 10.30 am then it was quiet. I remember more joy during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race start on boxing day then Christmas day growing up. My Christmas history and being so exhausted meant that Christmas and boxing day was not good at all for myself.

From a perspective of mental health and personal struggles you aren't meant to compare yourself. If I do, I am immediately a horrible person. Some people have no one to spend Christmas with and expect no phone calls; some people spent their first Christmas without a loved one; some people had no food; some people have suffered suicidal ideation or suicidal thoughts this Christmas and some would have died from suicide.

Jesus didn't come just for the worst of the worst, and didn't suffer only the worst experience. The standard readings this weekend uphold this; Isaiah 63.8-9,

For he said, ‘Surely they are my people,
    children who will not deal falsely’;
and he became their saviour
    in all their distress.
It was no messenger or angel
    but his presence that saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
    he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Hebrews 2.16-18,

For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

These passages hold up all suffering; not limiting it to the worst of experience. It is not God's will that we find ourselves in any pain; it is God's will that through Jesus, God knows our feelings and holds it within the individual and personal relationships we all have with him. Death is defeated and permanency of all pain; Jesus knew it all.