So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 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. (Luke 2:16-19)
Christmas has happened. The immediate celebration are over. The boxes and wrapping paper will be thrown away, leftover turkey sandwiches are on the horizon.
Tomorrow you go into WalMart and the decorations are gone – as if by magic. They are still up in the mall, but the Christmas music is probably over. Next week or so, Valentine’s Day stuff will go up and Christmas, for this year, will be a distant memory.
But Christmas never really stops. It is not a day. It is a lifestyle. Sure, the Christmas celebration is just a month or so, but the fact that the Christ, the Anointed of God, the Messiah has come into this world will never stop.
Even after Jesus comes again, it will still be felt. After all, we will be in heaven face to face with our God because of it.
To Mary, it sure wasn’t a one time event. As someone once said, it is a lot easier having a baby then keeping a baby. The birth was only the start.
Like she did, we remember him all our lives. When we accept him and take him into our hearts, that means he becomes a part of our lives. He is as much, if not more, a part of our lives than our kids or our wives or even our parents.
He is a lot more important to our lives than our jobs because one day that job will stop and he will not.
He and the love and grace he brings will endure.
Take down the tree in a while, unhang all the lights and stuff, eat all the fruitcake and pie and turkey and candy, box everything up and store it in the attic or basement for next year. But remember, all that consists of is trappings, superfluity. It is just stuff.
But Jesus lasts all year round and will endure forever. His love will never cease.
After all, he gave up heaven to become a little baby. Just to show us that he loved us and to participate in the great adventure – living for God.
I hope y’all had a Merry Christmas. Happy New Year!
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