Now What?

The day after and what shall we do?  Seems like a perfect time to gather all unwanted gifts, pile them in the vehicle and head to the store to return.  In exchange for a well thought out, personal gift, you can receive money, gift card or another item.  Lines will extend out the door of most department stores, frustrations rise while waiting and the employees receive to worst of attitudes from shoppers.

Another option for passing time this day could involve creating that resolution list that will last only a short time before old habits return.  I know, let’s plan a huge celebration to ring in the New Year.  That is the next big reason to celebrate and P-A-R-T-Y!

No, let’s just take the day off and do nothing.  Leave the Christmas décor up for another day, let the recycles overflow a little longer and find a good movie to watch.  We deserve it!  We have worked hard in our careers for months now and just need to take a break.  We diligently planned, prepared and attended all holiday parties.  We survived the family tensions, buffets of food and financial strain of the holidays.  We deserve a day of just being all about us, right?  Christmas is over, right?  It is just another day in history, right?

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:17-20

Actually, today is just the beginning.  The day after should not be spent complacently.  We received a Gift on Christmas that changed everything.  God thought so highly of His children to send His only Son Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloth to save you and to save me.  He did not decide the day after to return His Gift.  No price can be placed on this Gift.  He took time to think through the plan, decided moment by moment the perfect steps that would lead to our salvation and then (even though it meant sacrificing His only Son) still blessed the world with His love.  His love came in the form of a small baby from a woman just like us.

The day after and what shall we do?  There is not a thing wrong with visiting department stores today and purchasing, exchanging or returning items.  But, let us do so while clinging to the Gift received from our Father above.  Shine this Gift everywhere you travel.  Follow the shepherds’ footsteps by telling all you meet.  Some individuals believe Christmas is only about the material gifts and parties planned here on Earth.  Sad to say they have no clue about the Eternal Gift waiting for them to accept and the continuous party waiting in Heaven as we leave this temporary home.

Follow Mary’s example and take this day to relax in His Word.  Ponder all the promises declared in each page and be thankful that this is our temporary home.  This world will present trials and tribulations, but take heart; our God overcame this world through His Son Jesus and set the pathway for us to Heaven.  Eternal life spent with Him awaits all who take Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Treasure all these Truths and ponder them in your heart.  Be amazed at the joy, peace and love felt as each Truth impresses on your heart.

Okay, what about resolutions?  The day after is great to create a list of things to change as the night before may have been one filled with eating, drinking, animosity amongst family, depression due to varying factors, anxiety, etc.  Time to change: eat better, less drinking, make amends with family, avoid family hardships, work each day to find happiness, heal from past hurts, put aside addictions, etc.  The list sounds great and even makes sense on paper; but, living it out is a different story.  Solution?  Take this day to delve into His Word and only one resolution will remain on your list: follow Jesus each day.  As you follow Him, accept this FREE Gift given to wash away ALL sin and go make disciples of others all the changes desired in your heart will come to play and be much easier than trying them on your own.

God provided the Gift that keeps giving each day.  Don’t let Jesus’ birth be pushed aside as just another day!  Take this time to continue reading the Christmas story in Luke and learn what happened the day after. . .and the day after that. . .

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig