Let it not Fade Away

It has been a while since I last wrote a blog, and I must apologies for the hiatus. Again, It has been more of a struggle for me to put one of these out each week than I had ever imagined. Yet I am committed to keep trying. I want to get into a rhythm with this, to let the Holy Spirit work through me so that I can write blogs that will touch other people and help them on their faith walk. I will not give up, even if sometimes I go weeks without writing a new piece and feel frustrated with myself. And so, here I go again, with a new musing and a renewed spirit of hope, feeling sure that I can accomplish this, if I only listen to God more acutely…

The Holiday season is over. Christmas has come and gone, with all the joy it brings – celebrating the birth of Christ, visiting family, giving and receiving presents. Even New Year’s Day is now in the rear view mirror, and though it is not a Christian holiday, it does seem to mark the end of the Christmas season. When it is over, Christmas finally seems to be done. The days after the First of January will see most begin the process of taking down the trappings of Christmas. Christmas trees and their decorations will be packed up. Favorite holiday movies and CD’s will be filed away for another year. The last of the Christmas goodies will be eaten. And while many a child will still spend time playing with their new toys, adults will once again fall into the routine of their everyday lives, letting Christmas and how it makes them feel fade away from their mind.

My sisters and brothers, that is something we should not do. It is, after all, one of the main points that Ebenezer Scrooge learned in “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, that one must keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year around, not just on Christmas day and the weeks leading up to it. The things that many do during Christmas time – giving a little more to charities and the church, being a secret Santa for impoverished children, volunteering time – are all very good. They are things that we should be doing; a thanksgiving of sorts in celebration for what God the Son did for us by coming into this world. But we must not think that once Christmas leaves our work is done. There are still people in need during January, February, and so on. There are still missions that need our time, talents, and treasures in order to reach their intended goals. We are still disciples of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who has commanded us to share with those less fortunate than ourselves.

So let Christmas remain in our hearts, infusing our actions and deeds. Let it be said of us just as it was of Mr. Scrooge at the end of the classic tale, that we know how to keep the spirit of Christmas alive every day of the year, not just on the Twenty-fifth of December.

Peace be with you, my friends.

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