Returning Christmas

Christmas was two weeks ago now. By this point, you've likely spent some time in line for the refund desk somewhere, exchanging or returning a gift for yourself or someone else.

Maybe the situation is not so different spiritually. All that peace, goodwill, joy and sharing/caring spirit you had just a few weeks ago is gone. Perhaps the warm, fuzzy feelings about the true meaning of Christmas have been exchanged for questions about the true meaning of life.

The Christmas story in the Bible mirrors that experience. We like to talk about stables and shepherds and wise men, about angels and gold, frankincense and myrhh, but what about what came after? What about vengeful Herod and his killing spree of the young boys in Matthew 2? What about Joseph and Mary and Jesus fleeing to Egypt at the angel's warning?

Things didn't stay warm and fuzzy for them, and they won't for us either. But if there's one piece of advice or example we should follow, look no further than Luke 2:19: "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Christmas is something to be treasured in our hearts and its miracles and blessings to be pondered -- not taken lightly or momentarily enjoyed -- treasured.

Then when the doubts come and times don't seem so warm or inviting, we have an anchor to fall back on. Call it the assurance of Christmas, and that's non-refundable.

Not Who I Was

I find Brandon Heath's song, "I'm Not Who I Was" (see above) undeniably appropriate as we start a new year.

We all undergo changes in life, sometimes the changes are physical, sometimes mental or even spiritual, but rarely are we the same person from day to day, let alone year to year.

So the question for the new year is this: How will you let life's changes impact you?

They can make you stronger or they can make you weaker. They can make you more positive or more negative. You can be more faithful or more hopeless.

Either way, you're not who you were.