The Day After

The Christmas lights on the tree have gone dark, the gifts are opened, the music on the radio isn’t festive anymore, and the Christmas sweaters are pushed to the back of the closet once again. Gifts will be returned, and decorations will be put back in the plastic bins for transport to the attic soon. It’s the day after Christmas. Time to take a deep breath and collapse in the La-Z-Boy after all the cooking, shopping, wrapping, and decorating.

Perhaps the day after feels a bit anti-climactic. Maybe it presents as a relief to usher back a sense of normality. Maybe the day after is a disappointment after getting caught up in the joy and frivolity of parties and games. As much as I love the Christmas season, I am ready to begin de-decorating on the day after Christmas. Either Parky or I remove ornaments from the tree so that Parky can drag it out to the truck. I also try to find a place for the numerous Christmas presents that are in bags and boxes.

Like any other holiday, Christmas offers a time of celebration and reflection. We are meant to enjoy the activities that go along with the season, to remember the reason behind it, and to show love and appreciation to others through acts of kindness. But there is stability in the day after. When we set aside the celebration and reflection—all of the joyous activities and Dirty Santas—we live in the moment, not in anticipation. The weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas Day are exciting. Advent calendars and candles start showing up. Churches may observe Advent by lighting a colored candle each week, representing a biblical theme associated with Christmas.

But after the preparatory time and the event, it is the everyday activities of life to which we return. I believe there is contentment in the ordinary, giving us a basic foundation.

Witnesses at the Scene

Let’s look at the biblical account of what the participants did the day after Jesus was born. Mary, the mother of Jesus, “treasured up all these things [all that had happened], pondering them in her heart.” What a beautiful thing. Mary had internal contentment accompanied by joy.

So often, I find myself after an especially productive day or a special event thinking about what happened, how it happened, what was said, interactions with others, emotions felt, and what should have been said but wasn’t. I can lie in bed for hours reliving the day. Like Mary, I ponder it in my heart. There is nothing wrong with that. I think it’s good. If Mary did it, then it must be!

The Bible says, “the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen.” They took their experience with them and turned it into action. Here is another lesson we can apply. As we step away from Christmas, we can adopt the attitude of the shepherds by “glorifying and praising God” in our daily lives. Our actions may be translated into deeds of compassion, giving, or kindness. When Christmas rolls around again, we are rejuvenated for another year until the next Christmas.

From Shepherd to Evangelist

I find it interesting how the shepherds are viewed as the first evangelists. Certainly, Christmas had a powerful impact on them. Luke 2 says the shepherds “made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.” And what was “the statement?” It was what the angels told them when they appeared in the field: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Although we did not have a multitude of heavenly hosts appear on Christmas Day, we can respond with the same powerful impact the day after as the shepherds did. My pastor said it this way. “All who believe the good news about Jesus get to tell others about Jesus.” Notice the word “get.” It’s a privilege; it’s a message of hope in the midst of an evil world. We should tell others about Jesus. We are commanded to do so through the Great Commission.

Let’s Get Personal

My question to you is: how will you respond the day after Christmas and the day after that?

You have already come to adore Him. Now let us proclaim “Joy to the World, the Lord has Come.” Let us join heaven and nature to sing of His coming and prepare every heart to make room for Him. We can be like the shepherds in taking on an evangelistic role; we can also be like Mary and treasure the arrival of her son, a son who becomes the Redeemer of Mankind and Savior of the World.