We are all hurting in every way right now. Everything costs so much, just putting gas in the car, if you have one, is painful. You are not alone. We are all feeling this squeeze right now. You did everything you could. You kept the lights on, you paid the rent. You worked your ass off.
This will be a christmas to remember, not because presents were abundant, but because you fought through it, and provided what you could. It's more than enough. If you are alone this Christmas, you are sadly mistaken. You have all of us here. Just speak out, we are family.
It's only a "dark winter" if we make it so.
Being Orthodox we celebrate it on the 7th of January (Coptic Orthodox is on the old calendar) so I explained to my kids we wouldn't be able to afford any gifts for them (the last two months I have been trying to find a job after being unemployed, my buisness I own doesn't make enough to count as meaningful employment, and no success) when a few days ago my brother (not by blood or marriage) and his friend tell me to make an Amazon list for gifts for the kids. The then bought everything on the list. After that a day or so later my step mom fed exed me a package which was 100$ for Amazon and 200$ for Walmart which I again used almost all it for the kids with the exception of buying a much needed kitchen mixer.
I never once lost faith, I knew that God would provide for us and giving gifts wasn't what is important on Christmas but is a very nice addition. God provides in all things.