December 29 | Luke 2:25-40

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DAILY READING

Luke 2:25-40

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Post Christmas Blues?

By Elaine Pierce

I don't know about you, but the days right after Christmas can feel.....almost sad. The presents are opened. The family meals are over. Loved ones travel home. Work beckons. The bills from all that Christmas shopping come due. The pine needles seem to be all over the place....and my clothes have shrunk -or else I had one too many Christmas cookies.

We all sang Silent Night and celebrated the Savior's birth. But what happens next? Today's passage is a reminder that Jesus didn't freeze in place as a baby, lying in a manger in the small town of Bethlehem. He grew up. Luke tells us that "the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him (v. 40)."

HIs parents knew that he was special. When he was born, the angels proclaimed this news of great joy, and the shepherds rushed to his side to worship him. Eight days after he was born, as was the custom for Jews then and now, Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple to be circumcised. Two people - Simeon and Anna - both known to be especially devout and righteous - recognized that this baby was not just any baby. They praised God that they had been given the opportunity to 'behold your salvation...a light to the Gentiles and for the glory to your people Israel (v. 31-32).'

So after we pack up the Christmas tree (or put it at the curb), and take down the lights and the front door wreath, let's remember that the story doesn't end in a cradle. It is just the beginning. Jesus is God in the flesh. It is not just a sweet story we tell as we exchange gifts. He was born of a virgin. He grew in wisdom and stature, and he died for your sins, for my sins. And he will come again. In his well-known book, Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis said it well: "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God."

Merry Christmas - may it be so today, and every day!

PRAYER

The gift of your son, coming to earth as a helpless baby, is too much for me to fully understand. Thank you, Lord, for this gift, freely given, not based on my works or my good deeds. As we move past the Christmas season into the ordinary, humdrum days, help me to focus on how you love me, how you long for me to spend time with you, and how you forgive my every sin and shortcoming. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!

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