After Christmas
December 25 has come and gone. Many individuals look forward to Christmas day. Many individuals look forward to the Advent season. What happens after the 25th? Many times in our society we are anticipating the arrival of something. Many times in our society we look forward to the day. What happens after the day has come and we are left with the aftermath.
The holidays bring many different types of emotions and expectations for all individuals. For some individuals the holiday brings back memories of happiness and joy and peace in the giving of gifts. For others the holidays bring sadness, loss, and grief from the past. What we have to remember is that the holidays begin with Christ coming. The Christmas child brought peace and joy and hope. The entrance of Christ into the world brought with it Hope and the Holy Spirit.
In today’s society we have access to the Holy Spirit but there are other variables and factions that try to change the meaning and the hope of the Holy Spirit and of the Christmas celebration. We have to look forward into and acknowledge that with Christ came into the world And brought peace. This peace disrupted the chaos that had been upon the earth for millennium. That chaos still is here today and will not allow us to fully enjoy the Christmas spirit.
This chaos can be seen in every family: no matter creed, race, religion, or socioeconomics. But we have to understand and acknowledge that chaos and acknowledge Christ conquering that chaos. A couple examples I remember, as a child meeting with everybody in the family at our assigned place of celebration and having a great time. But in the mist of the celebration there was always some type of chaos that would come up. Be it a disagreement from 5 to 10 years ago. Be it a life decision or choice that somebody has made and others are not in agreement. But the chaos always tried to disrupt the joy that the spirit brought.
This year chaos tried to take away the joy of Christ in our life. On Christmas day we had a small incident that change the outcome of our Christmas dinner. But we have been blessed to be able to listen to Christ and the Spirit of God to see how his provisions will not be changed by a circumstance. We were able to enjoy each other that day and that evening. The circumstance allowed us to reflect on God’s love and protection for us.
This brings us to do three points of the after Christmas:
1.) Christmas is not the end of the celebration but the beginning of the celebration. This time of year is not the time to stop the joy and giving, but is the beginning of refreshment to continue through the next year. We need a refreshment of joy and happiness and peace and that should not stop at 25th of December but continue on into perpetuation throughout the year.
2.) God is in control. We think that we are in control of the gift giving and the things that go on preparing for Christmas.
But we have to remember that God is always in control. No matter what we have been given or what has been taken, God is in control. The Spirit of God will always be the final word in the Christmas story. No matter what chaos that we are going through, no matter what feelings of despair that we are going through. God is in control. We have to remember that He has already conquered all of our fears in all of our tribulations.
3.) No matter what the situation, God will be able to use it for His purpose. For example, if your car has died on Christmas Eve and you were concerned and worried about transportation, this is an opportunity for God to bring you a new car without a car note. If you had the despair of losing your house, this is a chance for God to show that He will provide for you in the mist of all of the turmoil. If you have lost a love one, this is the time of the season to show their love and the love of God has given us to others. Each situation that God has seen us through is an opportunity for God‘s love to show in the most amazing ways. These are hard times and can be detrimental. But if we allow God to show us how he works he will give us peace.
May the Spirit of God be with you in the continuation of this season of renewing enjoy and hope. May the Spirit of God open your heart and your spirit to the possibilities of wonder.
Lynden McGriff