Monday, December 26, 2011

Show Jesus To Others All Year

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

-- Hebrews 13:16

The day after is always a bit of a let down. The presents are all opened. Did you get what you wanted? Are you headed out shopping with your gift cards snuggly tucked in your wallet? Are you disappointed yet again?

Christmas brings such excitement in to our lives. We look forward to Jesus’ birthday, of course. But it’s so much more than that. Families travel to be together. Friends reach out to friends. And, what’s so much more important, strangers reach out to strangers with love and kindness.

Then the day after Christmas, it all seems to end. We forget to be generous and compassionate. We forget to be nice to our family and friends and, yes, to strangers. We forget to be jolly and bright. We misplace the wonder that fills our hearts when we recall that first joyous night.

Why? Christmas may just be one day but Jesus Christ remains alive each and every day of the year. If He lives within each and every one of us -- and I pray that He does -- then why only celebrate His birth and not His life? Why not live as He taught us to live each and every day that we walk this earth?

Maybe the letdown comes because during the weeks before Christmas we’re focused on other people and not ourselves so much. We’re trying to find the perfect gifts for those we care about. We’re donating our time and money to various charities. Maybe we’re even adding a few strangers to our dinner table, all in the name of good cheer and a small baby boy.

So as we stand on this first day after Christmas, let’s all decide to remember that it lasts all year long. Let’s remember to be kind to those around us, to see good and to give generously. We can smile a little brighter, sing a little louder, laugh a little longer. We can reach out to the friends we don’t yet know and welcome them into our hearts and our homes. We can remember that the family and friends we do have deserve our best. We can love with the heart of Jesus and show others that He lives within us every day of the year.