But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! [Luke 2:10-11 (NLT)]
Several years ago, I was given a Christmas cactus in early December. It had just started to blossom and, by Christmas, it was in full bloom and beautiful. A Christmas cactus typically goes dormant by Easter but mine bloomed until mid-May. The next year, it blossomed again at Christmas but the flowers weren’t as spectacular. It was dormant by February and didn’t survive the summer. Admittedly, I’m a neglectful gardener and my record with plants is dismal. That cactus actually lasted longer than any of my holiday poinsettias.
The spirit of Christmas shouldn’t end when the flowers drop from the Christmas cactus or poinsettia. Christmas shouldn’t be forgotten when the lights are packed away, the tree comes down, the ornaments and creche are stowed away for another year, or the peppermint bark is gone. We can’t leave the baby Jesus in the manger and forget that He grew, taught, led, healed, loved, forgave, suffered, died, rose, ascended into heaven, and will come again! We need to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in our hearts well beyond the time the toys break, the Christmas cookies are eaten, the holiday sweaters are back in the drawer, the poinsettia dies, and the Christmas cactus goes dormant. The spirit of Christmas—its joy and anticipation—the good news of the gospel message—shouldn’t be dependent upon the calendar. It should flower all year long! Of course, we must remember to fertilize and water it with God’s word and prayer.
A pastor friend keeps a small nativity out in her office all year long. It’s to remind her (and her visitors) that the manger is as important a symbol to Christianity as is the cross. If we have Jesus in our hearts, we can be Christmas people regardless of the season. May the spirit of hope, love, joy, and peace that is so present during Christmastime continue in our hearts all year long!
The immense step from the Babe at Bethlehem to the living, reigning triumphant Lord Jesus, returning to earth for His own people – that is the glorious truth proclaimed throughout Scripture. As the bells ring out the joys of Christmas, may we also be alert for the final trumpet that will announce His return, when we shall always be with Him. [Alan Redpath]
Devotions of the Heart 