Christmas is over. While a few of us diehards still have lighted trees still gracing our living rooms, the gifts are gone, the mounds of crumpled paper are bagged, the favorite Christmas music and movies are put away for another year. Seasonal clothes and candies are starting to disappear. Christmas sermons and concerts are past. School breaks are almost over. What’s next?
My blog posts over the last several weeks were an attempt to make the season real to me in a fresh and meaningful way. The journey has been a successful one for me. I have spent much more time meditating on the Gift of Jesus and what it teaches us about our Father’s love. But what now? Is it time to put those thoughts away for another year? Is it time to forget about this Gift until next year’s December?
As I begin, it is December 31, the last day of 2010. What does that mean to you? Is it a relief? Or do you wish the year could continue for a few more days? Does January bleakness threaten to give you a depressing case of the Post Christmas Blues? If you have one dependably firing synapse left, you might even be considering making a resolution for the new year. As I finished the last of the Christmas posts, I wondered what this experience should mean to me. Where am I in this story? What meaning do I find? What is it that calls to me in this story?
Mary, the expectant virgin, opening up her life, her body, her soul to her God, willing to let Him do the impossible through her. Will I choose to live totally open like Mary, holding nothing back?
Joseph, the shamed, yet upright husband to be, ready to listen to an angel’s dream, ready to make a courageous stand out of love and obedience, no matter the terrible cost to his reputation and relationships. Will I choose to make hard decisions, choosing what is loving and right, rather than what is comfortable and convenient?
The shepherds, poverty-stricken, society-excluded, quick to respond instantly to the angel’s light, not letting their social position, their wardrobe, or their jobs prevent them from coming to Jesus. Am I willing to let nothing stand in my way as I come to Him?
The wise men, willing to cross desert and culture, standing alone against prejudice and disbelief, giving their best, all for one glorious moment of worship. Will I give all that I have and all that I am, just to bring Him glory?
Days later, I still struggle with the question. Where am I in this story? Where are you?