''Twas The Day After Christmas

What's the day after Christmas like for you?
Many will return to work today. Productivity probably won't be at its' best as a tired work force heads back in following the long weekend. Others will still be home as children play with their new toys, and leftovers are consumed. Some will race to the mall eager to find after Christmas sales, and to use those gift cards they received yesterday. Traditionally this was Boxing Day in England and some other countries. Household servants and other tradespeople who probably worked on Christmas Day were given the day off and a box that may have contained money, a gift, and even the leftovers from the previous day to take home for their own celebrations. Many countries still take today off as the "second day of Christmas."

I wonder what things were like on the first day after Christmas. For Joseph and Mary it must have been a day of adjusting to life with a new baby. We're not told of any additional visitors, but this was the town Joseph's family came from so someone may have stopped by to see the new addition to the family. There is one group though whose day would have been pretty exciting. We find them here;

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:20

Not everyone believes you when you tell them you've seen an angel. Throw in that you saw thousands and you were given a message, and you would definitely have your share of skeptics. Some would believe though, and others would be curious. You'd get to retell the story over and over, and field questions about what you'd had to drink. No matter the response the shepherds just kept praising God for what they had seen.

The shepherds aren't mentioned in the gospels again, but let me tell you something I'm sure about. They never stopped telling the story. How could they? And they would have never stopped giving God praise for what they had seen and heard.

Most folks leave their decorations out for at least a few days after Christmas. Still it won't be long before the manger scenes, snowmen, lights, and trees will all be put away. Be sure you don't pack Jesus up with the decorations. No, not the little ornamental baby in your manger scene. You can put him away. Don't pack up the real Jesus to save him for next year. Keep Jesus out all year long. Like the shepherds, keep glorifying and praising God after Christmas as well. Jesus wants to be a part of our lives on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and all year long.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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