Wednesday, January 5, 2011

It all goes back in the box.


  Christmas is over...

      So much time and energy went into plans and preparations for a day that went by so quickly I can hardly believe it's over. Now it all goes back in the box. Well, there's a lot more than one box, but you know what I mean...Christmas is packed away and taken to a shelf in the garage or closed away in the attic to rest quietly for eleven months, until it can come out again.

      Twinkling stars and tinsel, glitter bulbs and silver bells, are tucked away with their tinkle and shine hidden by tissue paper and cardboard. Gingerbread boys, snowmen, and angels, keep each other company in the dark, as dry dead trees are taken down and drug to burn piles where they receive their honorable burial ceremonies, leaving trails of needles to follow back to the houses. In my case, the artificial tree was taken apart and shoved into a huge box, taped up and hoisted into the attic.

      As I put my last box away and the house is set back to "ordinary," it seems quieter than usual, and a little sad. I'm not sure which is heavier, the boxes or this feeling inside me. It's that let-down feeling you get when you've been excited and anxiously planning a special event or celebration...and then it's over...just like that! It came, it went, and took the cookies and chocolates  with it.

      Life has temporarily lost its sparkle and sweetness, the house mourns the loss of its luster, and I weigh five pounds more than I did in November (thanks to the cookies and chocolates). I'm tempted to pull down the shades and go to bed in the middle of the day, to tuck myself away in the dark room the same way I tucked away the wrappings of Christmas. But if I did, I know it wouldn't be long before I would be awakened by the knowledge that the true meaning of Christmas can never be packed away in a box.

      The light of the knowledge of the glory of God which was revealed in the face of His Son, Jesus Christ, can never be hidden in the dark. Those words He spoke - "I am the light of the world" would illuminate the room and wake me up. I'm sure He would remind me that the sparkle and glitter I boxed up with the decorations can't hold a candle to the light shining brightly from His Spirit within me, and that the best celebration is the one that takes place every day of my life, as I take hold of the gift He sent on that very first Christmas morning...His Son - the Prince of Peace. Christ's birth is a celebration without end, and accepting His gift is just the beginning of life forever with Him.

      The memory of that promise seems to brighten the house, causes the sun to shine warmer on the frosted roof, and makes my heavy heart lighter. I can imagine the heavenly anthems ringing around the throne of the King of Kings; His voice calling to me - "Let the dancing begin!" as I'm reminded that life with Him is the celebration. It's never packed up or stored away; it is a life lived outside the box.


A different celebration, a long time ago...
      On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, when the celebration was coming to an end, and the lights were being taken down, Jesus said these words - 
"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  (John 8:12)

11 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing! He is the light and I needed this reminder as is evidenced by my post this week!
    Have a good week-end, Annette

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  2. My staff and I decorated the skilled nursing facility where I work (I'm a Recreational Therapist). We have been busy taking down all the decorations and putting them away. The place looks so bare. We are going to leave the twinkle lights on the bushes of the courtyard for awhile. They look so pretty on these short, dark winter days. I pray that I share the light of Christ with these folks each day.
    My recent post on Wild about Whidbey is a lesson they taught me this past week.

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  3. that scripture...that He is the Light is my absolute favorite...cause it was His Light that shone in my darkness and made all the difference. Have a great weekend.

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  4. I love this post. I am grieving a little as I anticipate taking the tree down and putting everything back in the boxes. Yes, ours is still up. It isn't in the way so we're not as anxious to take it down. But, it is getting a little ridiculous, so next week, it all goes back in the boxes. It is so true though. We need to remember that Jesus is the light of the world, and we can't and wouldn't want to put Him away in a box. Thank you for the reminder.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  5. The decorations may be in a box put we have the Lord in our hearts all year long.I need to let his light shine always.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  6. Hi Charlotte,

    These words speak to my heart:
    "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God which was revealed in the face of His Son, Jesus Christ, can never be hidden in the dark." -- Yes, Jesus is The Light of the World!

    Blessings and peace.

    MTJ

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  7. Thank you so much for this encouraging Bible verse from the awesome Word of God. It was such a blessing to me this morning! Blessings on this Snowy Spiritual Sunday.

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  8. Your post was so sweet and timely for many of us. Have a blessed Sunday.

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  9. I love Christmas and it does go by too fast. I try daily to be a light for the world to see. God bless, Doylene

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  10. The light of our Christmas celebrations do not hold a candle to His light--love that statement. How true! And in the quiet after Christmas, His light shines brighter and the anticipation for His next coming is even greater!
    Blessings,
    Janis

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  11. noticed the same response to my de-Christmasing this year - a little 'o darn' every time another garland or vignette was cleared away.
    our hearts yearn for beauty because our hearts are made in His image. it's an echo of His beauty in the earth. not to be denied except at great loss - to us and to our world ...

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