Submitted by David
Miller
Now that Christmas is over and the year is ending, what do we
do now? More importantly, was Christmas just an event or was it an experience
for you? A study from 2008 and 2009 shows says after the Christmas season,
church attendance declined by eleven percent. And this tells us for some,
Christmas was just an event more than an experience.
Chuck Swindol sums it up this way, in his “T’was the Day After Christmas”.
T’was the day after Christmas when all through the place
there were arguments and depressions. Even mom had a long face. The stockings
hung empty and the house was a mess. The new clothes didn’t fit and dad was
under stress. The family was irritable and the children no one could please.
Because the instructions for the swing set were written in Chinese. The bells
no longer jingle and no carolers came around. The sink was stacked with dishes and the tree
had turned brown. The stores were full of people returning things that fizzle and
fail. And the shoppers were discouraged because everything they bought was on
half-price sale. T’was the day after Christmas the spirit of joy had
disappeared. The only hope in the horizon was twelve bowl games in the New
Year!
As Christians, we know that Christmas is not just another
holiday. But an experience that lasts a lifetime. Let’s apply this to the day
after. And through the coming New Year. First, let’s take a look at what
happened the day after Jesus was born.
The Bible tells us after Jesus was born, everything returned
to the status quo. When they had performed everything
according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city
of Nazareth. The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in
wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (Luke 2:39-40). This tells us
everyone returned and went about their business. In other words, everyone’s
lives went back to the norm.
Yet, here is where the faithfulness of God shows up, despite
the fact that we don’t change. Yes, it is the presence and the power of God in
Jesus being introduced into the world. Which continues to carry on till today, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
(Hebrews 13:8). Isn’t it so amazing how God
continues to do His part unto today? And what about us? Maybe it’s time we do
ours. Do we treat Jesus differently at Christmas than we do after
Christmas? Do we turn Him on when we
light our tree then turn Him off when we pack the lights?
This coming New Year, let’s change some of the things we do.
Let’s start off the New Year with Christ staying real to us. It will make for a much better year, in spite
of ourselves.
