DON'T BOX UP CHRISTMAS JUST YET!

Good morning friends, I cannot believe we are two days past 12/25... the build-up, the expectation, the excitement...

Now what?

Do not pack up Christmas just yet?

Did you know that the days following Christmas through Jan 6th (Epiphany) is called Christmastide?

Church history has long practiced this tradition that promoted the continuance of nourishing the soul and helping with the fizzle and pop effects of opening presents, gatherings over food and the festivities that often ends on Christmas Day.

This tradition, as I take it, allows for a quiet savoring of the HOPE- PEACE-JOY-LOVE birthed in a manger and we just commemorated on 12/25.
Since the kids are off from school, and many took some winter vacation time, this is a perfect time to relish in the gift unwrapped - the Godchild!

12 days of continually praising, giving thanks, allowing the realities of God's love to spark our Joy and Hope as we enter the gates of a new year.

Beloved, don't pack up Christmas so fast. Hold it, dear, close to the bosom, feel sorrow as the world will force you to move on and away from the Christ child who will later secure your salvation on a bloody cross.

Resign from the urgent rush to move on... DON'T allow the culture around to move you along; while you will take down your tree and lights, put away the stockings and such... remember there is no after Christmas storage box for Christ!

He cannot be shelved or returned, HE is the gift that is intended to be worn (the putting on of scripture ); HE is a present help; HE is your guiding light; he is the voice of conscience; HE is peace in the storm; HE is the sweet fragrance of heaven; HE is friend and counselor; HE IS WISDOM for the age; HE is a strong tower and your secret place of shelter. HE is God!