Jesus came down to earth in a manger at Christmas, but He doesn’t have to leave with the tree when the ornaments and festive decorations come down. When the comforts of the season are all boxed up, how do we hold onto comfort and joy the rest of the year?
Is Jesus just seasonal?
Winter blahs and blues
The Christmas lights arrive during the darkest time of the year. The birth story of Jesus brings joy amidst the winter blahs and blues. How do we keep that good feeling going after all the Christmas cheer has been packed away for another year?
Christmas lights
Walking through the neighborhood we see a few holiday holdouts. A handful of Christmas lights adorn a house here and there, but otherwise the signs of the yuletide are gone. In our own home the ornaments are packed away for another year. The symbols of the season are nestled all snug in their boxes until their much-awaited debut next December.
How about you? Are the house lights still up? Has the tree been taken down?
Is it back to business as usual – as usual as it can be in this unusual season?
After Christmas
What happens after Christmas? Once we take down the Christmas tree and put away the ornaments, is that it for peace, goodwill, and tidings of good cheer? Does the jolly just leave? The merry get misplaced?
Is Christmas just a passing phase and Christ attached to a pop-up event?
When Christmas gets put away maybe we think Jesus does, too.
Hold onto the light of Christmas
We don’t have to set Jesus aside. After the trappings of the season are packed up, we can still hold onto the light of Christmas.
I want to carry forward peace on earth and tidings of comfort and joy.
Anchor into Christ’s presence
I decided to look back at the carols of Christmas to bring good cheer into the new year. I’m not talking about a momentary gladness, but rather an intentional commitment to remember elements of Christmas and Christ’s presence that we can anchor into in the days ahead.
Reminders of the season from the Christmas carols
What can we carry forward from the carols of Christmas?
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. We can call on Jesus.
Emmanuel, God with us.
So often in my morning journaling this phrase, “Emmanuel, God with us,” comes up. A reminder that God is with me in whatever I am dealing with or walking through.
God is with you, too.
Angel’s message to the shepherds
The First Noel and While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.
Remember what the angel said to the shepherds?
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10 KJV
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:13-14 KJV
Good news, great joy, peace.
Jesus
O Holy Night. On that holiest of nights, the arrival of Messiah brought hope into a weary world.
Hope.
Wouldn’t it be nice to remember Jesus brings hope?
And the reminder from Hark the Herald Angels Sing that Jesus brings light, life, and healing.
Carry forward comfort and joy
Emmanuel, God with us.
Good news, great joy, peace, hope.
Light, life, and healing.
I’ll bring those forward into the new year. Want to join me?
Want a refresher from songs of Christmas?
Christmas carols in the Scriptures – O Come O Come Emmanuel
Christmas carols in the Scriptures – Hark the Herald Angels Sing
What to do with a wayward ornament?