The aftermath of Christmas

There is always a huge crescendo to Christmas. Like a masterful piece of music the tempo builds to a frenzy, and then it begins to slow down, or suddenly ends; depending on the conductor and the musical arrangement. Is that the way it was when Jesus came to earth? Perhaps, it was more a slow build over 33 years and then, it suddenly ended. I'd like to think it is still building. The music has had an ebb and flow to it, but it has ever so slightly been building up for over 2,000 years. Soon, I believe it will reach a fevered frenzy, and then it will fade slowly. Those that are left behind, as the movie tells us will wonder why the music stopped. However, those with their ears to the Spirit, will realize it is still playing ever so softly; to those that have been awakened by the conductor. Music has always had a message. When the music changes so does the message. Christmas hasn't come to an end. The message of Christmas will continue on until Jesus comes again. How will it change our life is the question. What will the aftermath of Christmas look in your life? Does it look like the picture below?

Or does it look more like the one below this portion of scripture?

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:4-5; 11; 23-27)

Jesus has always had those that are holding onto their instrument, wanting to be part of His remnant. There are those of us still hearing the music. We are still wanting to play to the tune of a different drum. We are those that believe it could be any day. The aftermath of Christmas is just a reminder to us, that we are drawling closer to the day of His return. We can play on in the midst of chaos, because we still believe. We are like the little boy in the picture below. We are holding onto the hope of what is to come, a sound we hear in the very heart of our being.

It doesn't matter what is going on around us. What matters is what is going on within us. Luke 24:32 (KJV) "And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" Our hearts are hearing something. We long for His return. It does not matter how chaotic and messy things may look, our eyes are fixed on Him.

Action Step: Allow Christmas to live on. Don't forget in the aftermath of Christmas the real meaning of what we just celebrated. There is a greater celebration coming. There is more to life than tinsel, ribbon and bows. As great as Christmas may have been, or as bad as Christmas may have been? There is a day coming that will far outshine any day we have ever seen. So, leave the tree another week, enjoy the reason for the season, and linger in the presence, regardless of the presents. The greatest gift for us that are still alive, is only opened by faith. Our eyes have yet to see what awaits us! Live for the day!