The day after Christmas, and it seems everyone is in a mad rush to take down the tree, return the unwanted presents, and get life "back to normal."
But it was not always this way.
A number of years ago, I realized something... in the ancient church calendar, the period before Christmas (called "Advent") is meant to be a period of PREPARATION. This radically shifted my thinking, from believing that the decorations must all be put up the day after Thanksgiving, to understanding that they should be set up (gradually) by Christmas Eve. And then, on Christmas day, the celebration BEGINS. Twelve days of Christmas, remember?
This embracing of the ancient calendar has allowed me to slow down the pace, and enjoy the Christmas season more... not just getting the decorations done and presents bought, but it's allowed me more intentional time to prepare my heart and soul for the season and "make room for Christ."
So today, I'm in the beginning of the celebration. Day two of the twelve days of Christmas.
Don't pack up Christmas just yet. Pause, enjoy, make room for more of Christ. Rejoice in His mission on earth, and the fact that God-in-the-flesh came one night long ago. Sing "Joy to the World, the Lord Has Come!" again. After all, doesn't it make more sense to sing these words AFTER Christmas, than before?
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