Isn't it amazing the amount time and energy anticipating the birth of a child? As parents, this is probably something we can all relate to. In fact, this is a very recent experience for my family (3 births in the last 4 1/2 years). You put together cribs, paint rooms, register for stuff, have baby showers, wash clothes, etc. Some people even throw elaborate, expensive parties just to announce the sex of the child. It's fun! All of this to commemorate one of the most momentous days in a family's life, and fill time waiting for the main event: the birth of a child.
Then the baby is born.
This day is huge, so exciting....and exhausting! By the time we get home from the hospital, toting all our gifts, we are just ready to collapse in the bed. All the pomp and circumstance is over. We are waking up in the mornings with circles under our eyes, spit up on our shirts and poop in our hair. And some days, the shower is optional.
Is this not just like Christmas?
We spend a whole season building up the birth of Christ. Presents, parties and parades galore! We spend tons of time, money and energy making this a time our family will never forget. Then we wake up December 25 and the baby has been born. As we clean up the wrapping paper, drive home from visiting family and take down the tree...it's over right?
Not at all. This is where we miss it as followers of Jesus. Just like the birth of our own children, it's only the beginning. It is time to start a new year, with a real relationship with Christ...spit up and all.
We may have always "incorporated" Jesus into our lives (talk about Him, pray over our food, etc.), yet we may have failed to celebrate Him daily. To celebrate him is to acknowledge the joy He has brought into our lives and share that with those around us. This is a new day; heck...it's a new year! Take the joy of Christmas and resolve to celebrate the birth of Christ each day.
Nehemiah 8:10b "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
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