12 And again, Isaiah says,
There will be a root of Jesse,
who will also rise to rule the Gentiles.
The Gentiles will place their hope in him.
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection
I’m writing this on December 26th. Christmas is over. After all of the preparations, baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating, parties, and eating, the day is now a memory. Now what do we do? In this week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, how do we feel? Are we thinking about all of those leftovers and cookies that still need to be eaten? Are we thinking about getting that after Christmas sale on something? Are we thinking about returning items or taking down the decorations? How about the New Year’s resolutions we should be making?
Maybe for you, it is just a relief that it is over. It always seems strange to me that the radio stations stop playing Christmas music on December 26 and most TV stations are done showing Christmas movies. I noticed even before Christmas, stores had Valentine’s Day items on the shelves. Our neighbor always takes their decorations down on the 26th. It’s always a weird transition to me. I always feel a little sad when Christmas Day is over.
Many times, when there is a big life event, the next day is a bit of a letdown – time to get back to “normal.” Christmas feels a bit like that every year, but it shouldn’t. Christmas should be a time that renews our faith, a time that reminds us that Jesus came to earth as a baby to show us how we should act, to remind us that we have a God who experienced life – all of the happiness and all of the sadness. Our scripture reminds us that Jesus came not just for the Jewish people who believed in God, but for the Gentiles – that means everyone!
One of my family’s favorite Christmas stories is A Christmas Carol. When Scrooge has his conversion, he says “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.” This is the joy that we as Christians should be living with.
We have all had difficulties and day to day we may not be happy all of the time, but that is not what joy is about. Joy is different than happiness. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is from the Spirit. Joy is knowing that Christmas is not just one day, and just as we as Christians proclaim ourselves to be “Easter people”, we are also “Christmas people,” believing that our God became “us” so that we can more fully trust that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have been totally immersed in the human experience. Knowing through faith that we have a God we can have a personal relationship with based on God’s love and nothing we have done. That is Grace. That is Joy.
by Janet Waryck
For Pondering and Prayer
What are you struggling with now that Christmas is over and we are heading into a new year? What can you do to honor Christmas in your heart? Maybe it is doing something kind for someone else – or maybe it is being kinder to yourself! You deserve rest and a reset sometimes too!
Prayer: God of Christmas, bless us with the joy that can only be found in you. Help us to know that you are with us in every aspect of our lives. Help us as we return to “normal” after Christmas, that we may have a “new” normal of honoring Christmas every day and being thankful and mindful of the very precious gift of Jesus. Help us to share that gift with others whenever we can as we remember that your gift is truly for all. Amen.
