Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart… – Luke 2:19

I find it fascinating how quickly some of us move on after December 25, and how readily people kick Christmas to the curb, talking about it in the past tense when today is still only “The Sixth Day of Christmas.” Do those Geese a-laying ring any bells?

“I am so sad,” I read a number of people post as early as the weekend. “The tree is gone, all the lights are down and the living room feels so empty…”

Here’s my take. If Christmas is only about feeding the gift machine then it makes perfectly good sense to close down the operation the moment they’ve all been opened, throw the tree on the side of the road, and chuck all the lights back in the storage unit.

But when we understand what it means for the Prince of Peace to be born into this world then of course Christmas Day is only the beginning! There is so much to celebrate, because Jesus opens up a whole world of possibilities that we never consider if we stuff the Holy Family back in their box and consign them to the attic for the other 360-plus days of the year.

On Active Duty:

I’d like to suggest keeping at least a few of the main characters from the Nativity on active duty for the next couple of months or so. Maybe an angel hanging from the chandelier, or in the kitchen tooting glory and peace and goodwill? Maybe one of the Magi, or a camel reminding us always to follow the star?

Maybe Mary, still cradling Jesus, inviting us to focus our hearts and our minds on what is most important, maybe the whole family on my desk while I write?

Maybe we can be like the shepherds, who left their encounter with Jesus transformed, bubbling over with joy? Maybe we will all still be “glorifying and praising God for all [we] have heard and seen, as it has been told to [us]” (verse 20)?

Happy Sixth Day of Christmas, friends! Joy to the world! May the wise among us still seek – and worship – the newborn King.

– DEREK