The day after Christmas is a bit of a let down.

Before December 25th, we all enjoy the excitement and thrill as we plan, prepare, shop, decorate, bake, and bask in the romantic light of the holiday season.

Twinkling lights

Cozy kitchens filled with homemade goodies,

Crackling fires,

And beautiful wrappings of gifts, chosen with love for those in our life whom we cherish most.

Even writing this makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

Most of my friends and family cannot wait for the Christmas season to begin, often dragging out containers of their Christmas wares and blaring their favorite Christmas carols as soon as the month of November begins.

But then it’s over.

The festivities and family gatherings are over.The gifts unwrapped, played with and put on a shelf.The decorations still up, yet they have lost some of their dazzle.

It’s a bit like having to unpack after a fun vacation or the day after your wedding. The adrenaline and anticipation of your special time is over, and reality hits. The romance is gone. All you’re left with is the “to do” list that is less than glamorous in the full light of day. Where once, the first snowflake was magical, it now promises drudgery of the long winter to come.

And I shake my head. This isn’t why Jesus was born and why we celebrate Christmas, so that we can enter the winter season depressed! No, God has given us a gift that is so much more than that and one that should bring with it good news and joy to our daily lives, even long after the celebration of Christmas dims.

As the angel tells the shepherds in Luke 2, “I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord.”

This is Christmas.

A Gift from God that is meant for everyone, all peoples of all nations, everywhere.

A gift that is not only to be received and cherished, but one that we are to share with those around us, for this gift is eternal life.

This gift is a King.

A Savior.

Our ticket to enter eternal life in a coming Kingdom that should bring us Hope.

Peace in our hearts.

Joy that is uncontainable.

Love that will propel us out into the dark world to share this light that has come to us.

While some only celebrate the King’s birth at Christmas time, I think we are missing something of great value, when we cease our celebration on December 26th. God gave us this gift, not to be unwrapped, then stored away somewhere, where no one can see it! No, He gave us this amazing gift of life, through belief in His Son, so we can keep living His gift out, year round; sharing with all who will receive it with joy and thanksgiving.

The gifts we place under our tree may have glitz and glamour for the moment, but God’s gift is one that will keep on giving, never to fade in its glory. Moth and rust cannot destroy. It is unshakable, indestructible, imperishable and incorruptible. It is the most perfect gift of all.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith,

and that not of yourselves,

it is the GIFT OF GOD.”

God gave us the greatest gift of all.

Rather than to be sad today that Christmas is over, let us rejoice and be glad.

By Angela Moore

Leave a Comment