What Comes Next?

Matthew 2:1, 13 & 19-20 "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem...When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him...After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."

Ok, so maybe I have crammed several years of events into one little paragraph but the Bible squeezes them all into one little chapter.  Once the presents are opened and the wrapping paper cleaned up, the pumpkin pie eaten and the ham or turkey leftovers dwindle down, it is so easy to lose sight of what we just celebrated.  The most important birthday ever should not just be specially remembered for simply one or two days...most theologians will tell you that the Magi did not visit for probably more than two years later so why is it most of us only remember what Christmas is truly about during December?  Maybe we need to uproot our way of thinking the way Joseph had to uproot where they lived.  He was running from a jealous king but we may need to "run" from some worldly ways, thoughts and values.  We need to find ways every day to hold on to the special feelings of Christmas time, the warm fuzzies, the giving natures, families worshiping together...and so much more!  We need to implement these into our every day lives throughout the whole year so that we are always living with Christ first and foremost.  We would find that many things would become so unimportant in the real "scheme" of things if we were to really begin living for God, if we put Him before all others.  So what comes next after all the carols have ended, the cookies have been eaten and the twinkling lights come down for another 11 months?  How about more of the same?  More gift giving, more family time, more worshiping?  How about more living to please God?  After all, He has given the ultimate gift and wishes to keep on giving to us...and He really does not ask for a whole lot from us.  Please join me in prayer:

Heavenly Father,
You have given us the most awesome and priceless gift possible: Your Son!  We are not worthy however we humbly come to You with thanksgiving in our hearts and Your glory on our lips.  Please help us to always keep the Spirit of what is so special at this time of year in our hearts, minds and souls all year through.  Keep us on Your path even when that means taking ourselves away from what is familiar.  Lord, we come to You weekly here and daily in our hearts and thank You for all of the healing You have already granted to Summer, Kayla, Ally and Sharon, with Your help they are making progress that medicine cannot understand or take credit for.  We ask that You please continue Your amazing grace and healing in their lives and in the lives of all who are in need of Your touch that we may be individually naming now.  God, we thank You for our nation's service men and women, without them we would never be able to enjoy all the freedoms, priviledges and liberties that we do.  Please grant them protection through Your covenant promises and provide them with the inner peace and strength they need in order to do what they do.  We ask that all these may be given according to Your will and in Jesus precious name.  Amen.

Have a blessed weekend and week ahead!
Love through Christ,
Niki