Just Getting Started

By Pastor E

The parties are complete, the presents are opened, the fridge is stacked with leftovers, and for some, the decorations have already come down. Christmas is over and a big sigh of relief is all that’s left of another Christmas season…..or is it? It’s really easy to see and experience Christmas as a “race to the finish line,” to get through it and come out the other side with our sanity still intact. 

It’s difficult to think that we, even as Christians, could find relief in being done with the celebration of one of the most important events in all of human history. But we get so caught up in the world’s understanding and practice of Christmas that we quickly forget what it was really all about. I don’t mean that we “forget” in the sense of “not knowing,” but that the overwhelming nature of the world’s Christmas can rob us of the joy and peace that Christmas should bring into our lives. Instead of being refreshed, experiencing the peace and joy of the season, we find ourselves exhausted and done. Sound familiar?  

I would suggest that this postseason gloom should be replaced by remembering every single day that Christmas isn’t a time to just “get through,” but rather a time to embrace and hold on to the amazing gift of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In fact, this isn’t a “race to the finish line” but rather a season of “new beginnings.” The birth of our Savior was just the start of something even greater as it pointed to the cross and resurrection. As we experience Christmas we should be reminded of the encouragement, joy, excitement, hope, and peace that was brought into the world through our Savior’s birth, this was just the beginning!   

Let us carry this “new beginning” into our new year and our lives, knowing that the babe in the manger didn’t come into this world as an exclamation point but rather a comma, leading us on to what was to come. The story didn’t end in the cradle, but was the start of something so much greater–leading us to the salvation, love, joy, and peace that Jesus brought into this world. Be refreshed and renewed this season; God has big plans for you this coming year and through the work of his Holy Spirit, he is just getting started!! “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

During one of Pastor Boots’ sermons around Christmas, he challenged us not to put away all the decorations but to leave out the nativity scene. He challenged us to do this so that we would be reminded of the “new beginning” that came through the birth of that baby so many years ago. As you would see it through the year, it would be a reminder of the hope, peace, and joy that comes from God’s greatest gift to the world, his son. Our nativity scene has been up in our home ever since then, giving us this reminder throughout the year…..helping us to keep our eyes open for greater things to come!!! 

How will you be reminded this coming year? Where will you find your peace and joy as you begin a new year?   

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19

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