Merry Christmas... Again

When you're not sure which part of the day was, uhm, crappier – the Vikings' lame attempt at playing football or my colonoscopy prep – then it's time to change the subject! Let's got back to Christmas with my column for today's church bulletin...

Merry Christmas… again

After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the week after Christmas often feels like a let down. Sure the shopping, baking, and hosting were stressful, but there was a purpose to the whirlwind. A build-up to the big day. The main event.

Now… what?

We’ve come out of our food coma and life is just… normal. Weirdly calm. And ironically, that’s a bit unsettling.

Well, don’t tell your kids, but it’s still Christmas. Take a look a the “church calendar” if you doubt me. It is the First Sunday of Christmas! Joy to the world!

We should still be rejoicing about the birth of our savior – the same as we would if a loved one had a baby this past week. We wouldn’t say “move onto other things” because the pregnancy is over. We’d celebrate the new life. The new beginning. And all that is come.

That’s why I find it fitting that the new year – and traditionally, resolutions – follow Christmas. A time of reflection and, where warranted, a fresh start. Right? But let’s not just think of New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, save money, exercise more, and get organized. Let’s examine the “health” of our faith, too. Can we – should we – resolve to improve it?

In the spirit of Christmas today, let’s rejoice that Jesus is in our life and, in the spirit of New Year’s this week, resolve how we’ll be sure to keep Him there for the next 12 months.

I pray that in the in the new year we all may know God’s presence, see His love at work, and live in the light of the event that gives us joy forever – the coming of His son.

Merry Christmas! Today and every day!