The day after Christmas I sat contentedly drinking my coffee out of one of my favorite seasonal mugs. I absently watched a talk show on the television and listen to the raucous, yet somehow musical laughter of my daughters.
I watched amused as my toddler rolled her new stroller up and down the short length of our narrow hall, and I smiled as she talked softly to her new baby doll.
They were having so much fun with their new toys, and it lifted my spirits to see them play. I was grateful for their continued excitement, and though I hadn’t suspected that they would, I was happy they had yet to grow bored with the new playthings.
I have lived all around the world in my short thirty-seven years, and I’ve been privy to many different personalities and ways of life. While I am glad I was able to live in different parts of this great planet earth I decided some years ago that I enjoyed the South the best.
I think it’s easy to take for granted the liberties we are allowed as US citizens, the freedoms we have to worship, speak, and believe as we so desire. It wasn’t that very long ago that I experienced mild infringement of my own belief system while serving in the Navy, and still recall vividly getting in trouble by my superiors for vocalizing my strong desire to use the word “Christmas” rather than holiday.
Because of this, and my experiences in places other than the Bible Belt I am always so pleased with the strong spiritual sense that prevails in this area. And though some will complain about the hypocrisy prevalent here, I am of the mindset that it still is better than a total lack of Christian values. There’s just something comforting about being among fellow believers.
With this in mind I am always happy to see so many friends publicly proclaiming their admiration, gratitude, and love for their Savior Jesus, and this mindset is especially present during the celebration of His birth, Christmas. I love seeing so many eager to celebrate what I believe is the “reason for the season.”
The day after Christmas as I watched my grateful, joyful children fully enjoying the gifts they had received I read this Bible verse.
Luke 2:20
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
This was after they saw the newborn King. It was after His birth. They didn’t just gaze in awe at the babe, giving thanks to God, and then pack up their rods and staffs and go about their business as before. After they left the presence of The Lord they went back where they came, but continued to praise God for His promises and truth. This same chapter will even tell us that they went a step further and shared with others the good news.
I love, love Christmas. I love the joy I feel this time of year, and while I’m always happy and blessed about the gift of my redemption there’s just something about celebrating the day of the birth of Jesus that makes it exciting and more real to life. Something about the twinkling lights, manger scenes, and Christmas carols makes it come alive in hearts everywhere.
As I sat there I realized I did not want to let that go. I didn’t want to go about the business of a New Year if it didn’t involve the joy of Christmas. When I returned to work, homeschooling, and my other obligations much like the shepherds returning to their flocks I too wanted to give glory and praise for what I had seen and heard. I wanted to tell others of this miraculous happening.
And while I knew that eventually I would have to pack up the stockings and the tree I didn’t wish to pack away the joy the spirit of Christmas left in my soul. I wanted to be like my grateful children and continue to enjoy the gift I had received.
Today I would encourage you also to hold on to the joy and excitement of our Savior’s birth that you celebrate during the month of December. Don’t pack away your Christmas, but rather celebrate it the entire year.