359 – Christmas has arrived, now what?

#faithbites #faithjourney Christmas

First we opened presents. Then ate mass quantities of food. Filled the recycle bins and trash bins to overflowing. Santa has returned to the North Pole. The elves on the shelf are gone are gone for another year. Christmas is over, now what?

If you are like me, then today was busy. Friends, food, family, fun, and festivities. The kids are exhausted, we are all exhausted, presents all over the house, and fun had by all. We tried to keep bringing is back to our Real, Present God but it’s hard. So now the kids are playing with toys and getting ready for bed. Christmas is over, now what?

I remember the feeling of running up the stairs on Christmas (or Channukah) and getting presents. First the anticipation, then the joy, then the realization that these toys were mine. Then, in some cases, just as quickly as the anticipation and joy came, they were gone, just like Christmas. So what do we do know?

Scripture

• “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder.  And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6
• “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15
• “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”  Psalm 126:3 – Psalm 126:3

Reflection

The Isaiah verse is one known to most Christians as the foretelling of Jesus. What I just realized is that it doesn’t say a date or a time. While we normally think of it as foreshadowing Christ, what if we looked at it as a daily reminder that a child was born to save us? Instead of just one day a year, or during advent, we knew that the gift from God would be given for us to bind us to God. Jesus truly is God’s indescribable gift. He is here for us every day 24 X 7.

As a parent, we remember the good and the bad with our children. Over time, the bad tends to fade and we focus on the good. I don’t remember all the nights of screaming with my children, but I remember their love. Likewise, we should be filled with joy daily that we have someone who loves us, saves us, and wants us to be with him and the father. That is too precious to only remember one time during the year.

So, Christmas may be over. But the life of Christ and his love is with us for ever and ever.

Charge

As you are ending your celebration and thinking about 2019. Don’t forget about Christ. Find a new church home or continue the one you are going too. Share how the Lord has impacted your life. Read his word and apply it daily.

Lord, thank you for your son Jesus. Give me the strength to always celebrate his birth, life, death, and resurrection and not just on Christmas and Easter. Let me see his wonders in my daily experiences and activities.