For many of us, the celebration part of Christmas and New Years has ended. The relatives have left. We are back at work, and the kids are returning to school. While there still may be twinkle lights up, there are no longer presents under the tree. No longer are we hearing the happy sounds of Joy to the World, White Christmas or Santa Claus is Coming to Town being played on the radio I won’t even mention the fact that this week many of us are tugging just a little harder when getting those jeans on and zipped up!
There’s a physiological adrenaline dump that occurs after all the excitement we feel at Christmastime comes to an end! We prepare for Christmas for weeks… and then, it’s over. Or is it?
What we must hold on to, throughout this year is that the great preparation we all put forth at the coming of our Savior at Christmas should be ever-present in our daily lives! Jesus came as a baby all those years ago, but we continue to look forward to the day when He returns in all His glory, just like He said He would.
We should be keeping our eyes focused not on the sky, but on the work of the Lord still needing to be accomplished. We should be continuing to be His hands and feet towards our fellow man. We should be watching what comes out of our mouths; making sure we are turning people towards Jesus with our love, not away from Him because of our hatefulness. You know, that idea of “loving our fellow man” that is so much easier at Christmastime!
Preparing for the real meaning of Christmas really never ends when you’re a Christian.
Rejoice in this time of year! It is a fresh start in so many ways!
Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
Lisa Strnad is a weekly contributing writer/blogger to What’s in the Bible? and JellyTelly. She has been a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville,TN. Follow her personal blog posts on www.talkinglikeagirl.blogspot.com
