As Christmas comes draws to an end, I have always seemed to think of it as one of the saddest times of the year. I have been so busy shopping, cooking, visiting and remembering and now it’s over, just like that. It is time for me to clean the kitchen and find a place to put all of my new treasures, each one holds a special place in my heart so it needs a special place in my home. It is time to put the memories of this Christmas and the Christmases past that I have hanging on my tree in the form of ornaments back in the box. My lights must come down, so that they will have a chance to twinkle again. The tree must go and I know I will have a million pine needles to clean up. I will remember all of those that I missed this Christmas because they were called home. I know this sounds depressing but I promise I do have a point. What if this year I don’t think of it that way? What if I remember the real meaning of Christmas, you know, Jesus? What if I remember to have Christmas every day in my heart because I have the greatest gift of all, that never forgets me, always shines bright and never fades way. What is this wonderful gift? Jesus of course. Christmas is not in the gifts, ornaments, decorations, baking and giving. It is truly a gift that stays with us all year and I choose to see that way.
I must remember to smile when I meet a stranger on the streets because I don’t know what they are going through and maybe that smile will light up their day. I have to remember that when I am packing up the Christmas displays not to pack up my joy for the season. I have Jesus in my heart so I will carry this joy all year-long not just between November 1st and December 25th. So this year between Christmas and Christmas I think I will choose to be happy not because of anything I did but because what Jesus has done for me. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
