The Day after Christmas

Well, we made it. It's December 26th, the after Christmas sales are starting, broken toys are being repaired, and that ugly sweater you got that doesn't fit can't be returned because you don't have a gift receipt. Whew! For a holiday celebration that is so wonderful and special things sure change quickly. We go from a spirit of anticipation and expectation to a reality that in just a few days the real world takes over again. Life doesn't take a vacation or stand still-it just keeps moving on.

For many this day begins a week of reflection. We reflect on our victories of the past year and our failures. We reflect on our gains and losses. We reflect on our personal battles and how we can improve or grow from those experiences. We reflect on the changes in the atmosphere around us and hope that we can see better days ahead. We reflect on what we have become, where we have been, and where we hope to go in the future.

But there's one thing the day after Christmas doesn't provide for us and that is a glimpse into our future. Reflection may help us deal with the past and experience may season us, but none of us know what our future holds. The iconic Forrest Gump said it best in the movie by the same name: "Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get!" Because of this spirit of uncertainty the safety of reflection is often better than the hopes of the unknown future.

The truth today is as it is every year and that is that we cannot live in the past. It seems like only yesterday Becky and I got married, but it's been almost 43 years ago. I still remember my oldest granddaughter's first Christmas, but the Glow Worm we got her then wouldn't have made her very happy 15 1/2 years later as the other presents she got Christmas Eve and yesterday. Time changes and we either have to change with it or get swallowed up by it. That decision is firmly in our hands.

Maybe this simple little poem can help you on this day after Christmas. Hopefully on this Day after Christmas it will encourage you to look ahead and not behind.

It's the day after Christmas and the last week of the year,
Today some are happy still filled with Christmas cheer.

But in just a few days, a New Year begins,
And already some wonder how it will end.

Will it be good, or will it be bad?
Will I be happy, or will I be sad?

Only one knows the answer and can put your mind at ease,
His name is Jesus and He can meet your needs.