
Have you ever thought about how few times Christmas is mentioned–after Christmas?
Hopefully, you experienced joy and peace because you centered your Christmas on Christ. It is rewarding anytime to ponder the birth of the Lord and His great love for the world, even if you had to work on Christmas. The day after Christmas is a perfect time to reflect on God's blessings and spend time with family. But all too often, the days and weeks ahead can be a big let-down after weeks of being overstimulated by the holiday hype.
Christmas music, sitcoms, and movies saturate the media every year the closer we get to December 25. The sights and sounds of Christmas have surrounded us for more than a month. Advertisements using a Christmas theme and stores stocking Christmas items appeared in October (if not earlier!).

Gifts are purchased, we make party and travel plans, we fill kitchens with the aroma of baking, choirs are rehearsing, and churches are busy planning Christmas events, even as their pastors are preparing their sermons. And even those who put off our Christmas decorating, and gift-buying eventually join the masses.
What will be different now that we have celebrated the birth of Christ?
But what do we do when Christmas has passed? What will be different now that we have celebrated the birth of Christ?
The day after Christ was born, the world appeared to be the same. People continued to face the daily struggles of life. Work went on as usual as people strained to survive. Sickness and death continued to bring pain and grief. Injustice, poverty, abuse, hunger, and loneliness continued. The world continued its struggle with corruption and injustice even as family strife and crime permeated the populace. Yes, everything appeared to be the same, but the world would never be the same.

Even the suffering of those who sought God and tried to do good did not stop. Joseph and Mary, the earthly parents of Jesus, had to leave Bethlehem and travel to Egypt because Herod intended to kill Jesus when he found Him (Mt. 2:12).
Except for their remarkable son, Joseph and Mary's life was anything but remarkable.
In the years following His birth, the Bible says, "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Lk. 2:52). He and his family worked to support themselves, and for nearly 33 years, except for their remarkable son, Joseph and Mary's life was anything but remarkable.
It was years before the Lord began His public ministry, preached with power, performed miracles, died on the cross, and was raised from the dead by the Father. Think about it–years of everyday struggles in a fallen world before eventually suffering as our substitute, rising as our Savior, and ascending to the right hand of the Father in heaven!
So, on the day after Christmas, it is crucial that we regain perspective. Even those whom Christ has redeemed are living in fallen bodies in a fallen world. We will continue to face heartaches, struggles, and disappointments.

But one day...
One day, our faith will become sight, and we will see Him Who died for us!
Until then, we must choose not to look for lasting satisfaction in this world. We must be grateful for every gift and every blessing, while remembering the Source and purpose of our blessing–we are blessed to be a blessing!
So, on the day after Christmas, God has more for us!

As we throw away wrapping paper, take down decorations, and return to our routines, please remember that even with heartaches, God is still at work and offers a purpose-filled future for those who commit their lives to follow Christ.
Even as we spend the night before Christmas preparing for Christmas, we should spend the days after Christmas preparing for the return of Christ.
Even as we spend the night before Christmas preparing for Christmas, we should spend the days after Christmas preparing for the return of Christ.
The Lord said, “Yes, I am coming soon” (Rev. 21:20a)
And we join with John and the rest of our Lord's followers throughout the centuries and say:
"Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 21:20b)!

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