Christmas is a time of celebration, a time to celebrate the wonder of the incarnation (the becoming human) of God. But, with this, it is also a time for those dealing with sorrow, for those who suffer.
The world into which Christ was born was, and still is, a world wrecked with tragedy and pain. And we can look back across the course of our own lives, even just the world events of the past week, and know this.
The “Christmas story” itself witnesses to this, as young children are slaughtered at the hands of Herod; and the gospel writer, Matthew, echoes the sin-caused exilic woes — the exile Jesus was born to end, mind you — penned by Jeremiah,
“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Jesus himself, as a child, entered into this suffering, as a refugee fleeing to Egypt. And of course, this incarnational participation in our suffering climaxes at the cross, where Christ bears the burden for all who trust in him.
We truly do have a high priest who is able to sympathize.
Christmas is for the sorrowful.
Kirk E. Miller 