Once the holidays are over, there seems to be a sea of deaths. The wakes come fast and furious as soon as either Christmas or New Year’s Day end. This is a pattern that occurs every year. Why do people seem to die just after the holidays?

As a former hospice worker, I saw over and over that the patients would either consciously or subconsciously try to ‘hang on’ until after holidays such as Christmas.

Loved ones tend to gather for holidays. The patient knows if they can attend one last family gathering, they can see whoever one more time and say anything that is left unsaid. The gathering for the holiday is a type of closure for the patient. Seeing everyone together can be comforting to the patient that they will be ‘okay’ without them. The hopes of the family and loved ones supporting each other and loving each other after the passing of the patient increases and creates a sense of peace for the patient.

Yesterday, we attended a funeral and the Pastor focused on Psalm 116, specifically verse 15. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” For those who believe in Jesus the Son of God, when we die, we cross into the presence of God. We have no more pain, no more hurt, and He wipes away every tear from our eyes, (Revelation 21:4). For those of us left to go on living, if we know Jesus as our Lord, we will see our loved one again. This transition of a faithful servant into God’s presence is precious, it is an amazing gift to the one who has died and the hope for those that live on.

“ I love God because he listened to me,
    listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
    as I laid out my case before him.
Death stared me in the face,
    hell was hard on my heels.
Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn;
    then I called out to God for help:
“Please, God!” I cried out.
    “Save my life!”
God is gracious—it is he who makes things right,
    our most compassionate God.
God takes the side of the helpless;
    when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.

^7-8     I said to myself, “Relax and rest.
    God has showered you with blessings.
    Soul, you’ve been rescued from death;
    Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears;
    And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling.”

^9-11 I’m striding in the presence of God,
    alive in the land of the living!
I stayed faithful, though overwhelmed, and despite a ton of bad luck,
despite giving up on the human race,
    saying, “They’re all liars and cheats.”

^12-19 What can I give back to God
    for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
    I’ll pray in the name of God;
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it together with his people.
When they arrive at the gates of death,
    God welcomes those who love him.
Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
    your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
    and pray in the name of God.
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it in company with his people,
In the place of worship, in God’s house,
    in Jerusalem, God’s city.
Hallelujah!”

Let’s pray. Thank You God for the promise of life after death! Thank you, Lord, that we will have no more pain or hurt in heaven and thank You that we will be joined by our loved ones who have gone before us in the love of Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.