The gifts are opened, exchanges and returns are made and the decorations are coming down and being packed away with care to be opened again next holiday season. And the season of giving has drawn to a close. But has it? What happens now? Does Jesus get neatly packed up to be brought out next Christmas or possibly at Easter? Do we just settle back now into our old routines and wait until next December to remember those less fortunate than us? Do we put a halt to our generosity or has the advent of our Lord’s incarnation somehow changed us? Certainly the Christmas season puts us in the spirit of giving but should that spirit of giving be limited to this one month of the year. God didn’t give us the gift of Jesus so that we could celebrate one month with generosity. God gave us Jesus to show us the life of servanthood; to show us that we are to carry the name of Jesus in our hearts every day of our lives. We celebrate Christmas to remind us that all that we have is a gift from God and God expects us to use those gifts in service to others. We are called to be the hands of God reaching out to others with Jesus as our guide. So what happens to Jesus in your home and in your life? Does he get packed up and put away with the rest of the decorations until the next “religious holiday”? Or does the gift of Jesus remain open in your home and everyday living? If we truly embrace the meaning of Jesus we come to realize that Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving regardless of the season.
Lord, thank you for the gift of your Son. Help us to keep the name of Jesus imprinted on our hearts and a guide in our daily living. Help us to refrain from slipping back into our lives as a routine where we lose sight of what we were put here on earth to do. Remind us that it is in giving to and caring for others that we spread the meaning of Christ as our Savior and Lord. Help us to keep the meaning of Christmas present all year long. In your name we pray. Amen.
