It has been several days since Christmas and the sparking tree lights, the happy, excited faces of our children and grandchildren, the simple wonderment of being with families and friends, the joy of singing “Silent Night” together in church as we lit our personal candles and listened again to the story of swaddling clothes, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels and Jesus. Christmas was a special time in many ways for many of us.
To help us keep the spirit alive, writer John W. Howell has posted an internet article titled,
“The Top Tent Things Not To Do on the Day after Christmas.” You can probably think of most of them without a great deal of effort: do not venture to a store to return things, stores are crowded with harried people you want to avoid; do not watch a football bowl game, it will put you to sleep; do not go out to dinner, you will be fed Christmas leftovers even in a restaurant; do not go to a movie, the theater will be filled with sick people who wanted to get out of the house; do not pester others with your newest phone, no one wants to be photographed in their pj’s; and, do not try to make up for gifts you now regret giving your spouse, it’s too late for your redemption!
(1) No, because we want the joy of Christmas to continue, we want to do nothing that will take away its message or our joy. Instead, we want to do what Simeon, Anna, Mary and Joseph did that first week after Jesus was born: they set aside time to be in the Temple for prayer and praise for the goodness of God.
Anna and Simeon were in the Temple because they were there every day praying for God to honor His promise of a Savior who would become the light of the world, and by His holy life and loving sacrifice, would end the darkness of sin, death, and the grave. The Holy Spirit blessed them to recognize that the child in Mary’s arms was, indeed, that gift from God, just as God had promised through the prophet Isaiah, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned … for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
(2) What Anna and Simeon prayed for, we seek, too. Sin is pernicious. It dims the light of hope, it turns hope to disappointment, it divides families and friendships, it turns plenty to poverty, it causes health to become death.
Or, if you prefer the same effect but with a wry smile, try this: in the hustle and bustle of Christmas Grandma had had enough. No more shopping for the perfect gift, no more long lines waiting to pay, no more concern about color, size, or cost. No more. Instead, she went to the card store and bought cards into which she could put a check for each person. Through her generosity each person could buy exactly what they wanted. A good idea … or, was it? On Christmas morning each family opened cards from Grandma and read the words she had written lovingly, “Buy your own present.” She had personally signed each card with a heart. But, much to her surprise, the next week she found all of the checks she had forgotten to put into the cards. Everyone had gotten a Christmas card from her with the words that no longer seemed loving, “Buy your own present.”
More than one pastor has preached that Christmas is, in truth, the time of year when the seven deadly sins are most in evidence – gluttony, wrath, greed, envy, pride, laziness, lust and more.
They are in evidence. They are done to us. They are done by us. How we need the gift of grace given us through faith in Jesus!
(3) And, we have it! It is the promise of Christmas. It is yours from the Heavenly Father. Let me show you and tell you.
In the early 1600’s when Protestants and Catholics fought to the death in the Thirty Years War in Germany, Lutheran Pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. One night as they stayed in a small village inn, homeless and afraid, Pastor Gerhardt’s wife broke down and cried openly in despair. To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of Scripture promises about God’s provision and keeping, but then going out to the garden to be alone, he, too, broke down and wept. He felt he had come to his darkest hour. Life was difficult, painful, disappointing, even deadly. Where was God? As he sat there brokenhearted, Pastor began to feel a sense of calm and quiet in heart and mind. It was as though God had come to him and lifted the heavy burden of doubt. Taking his pen, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many. "Give to the winds your fears, Hope, and be undismayed; God hears your sighs and counts your tears, God shall lift up your head. Through waves and clouds and storms God gently clears the way. Wait patiently; so shall this night Soon end in joyous day.”
It is often in our darkest times that God makes His presence known most clearly. That dark night in Bethlehem gave way to the song of the angels to the shepherds, and the fears of Mary and Joseph gave way to the benediction of Simeon about their Son. And, yes, his benediction was not all joy. He foretold of the cross and crucifixion that awaited Jesus, but, because of that action by the Heavenly Father, sin, death, and devil would be forever defeated. Light overcame darkness!
Let’s end this way. Just as John Howell wrote about what not to do after Christmas, an unattributed blog titled, “The Five Best Things to Do After Christmas,” has shared: turned your leftovers into something new. Be creative. Stock up for next year. Watch end of the year sales and look ahead to next year; think about ways to get the most of our the gift cards you receive. Maximize their worth; if you have a real tree, recycle it in your garden; and, be generous with your blessings – make a donation to a cause in which you believe. It will enable your joy to touch another person.
And, to these positive actions to take, we want to add: take time – make time – to come humbly to worship the newborn King, Christ, our Savior and Lord. See in Him God’s gift of love. A blessed, ongoing Christmas to you and yours. Amen.
