Its Monday, the day after Christmas Day, and I'm reflecting on the final Christmas song I heard last night, "Welcome To Our World" by Michael W. Smith. A fitting end to the Christmas weekend.
Thinking back over the Christmas season this year, I realize how exhausting and stressful this one felt. The rush to parties the last few weeks, the crush of shopping, the final days in the office, the cooking, the cleaning, the traveling, and to top it all off, Kelsey was horribly sick all this past week. She was miserable, and consequently, none of us got much sleep for close to seven days. She finally began to improve late Christmas Eve, but has been weak since.
We drove to Peachtree City to see Lisa's side of the family Christmas Day, with heavy rain pelting us all the way down. We spent a fun, laughter-filled day with the Brown family, then drove back through the rain and collapsed in fitful sleep until almost noon today. Well, Lisa and the girls did. I woke up about 10am, and enjoyed the solitude, the quiet, the sun-soaked morning with a cup of coffee and nothing on the calendar. Much-needed, for all of us.
Its been a day of rest, reflection, and returning the house to normal. And I wondered, what's left of Christmas? After the presents, the wrapping paper, the decorations and lights; after the platefuls of food and spiced cider; after the laughter of friends and family, the delight of children; after the sounds, the smells, the sights of the holidays; after the greetings and goodbyes of "Merry Christmas"-
What's left of Christmas?
Jesus.
"Welcome To Our World"- It was not the end, but only the beginning. The world He had made, that rebelled against Him; the world He quietly entered Himself in human form; the world He came to rescue, redeem and restore; we who truly know Him say, "Welcome"- in your world, and in our hearts. He is here.
"But in your hearts set apart Jesus Christ as Lord..." 1 Peter 3:15a