Between You And God #5

Dear God, Sometimes January feels so blah. Back to school. No more presents. What can I do?

Every year we all look forward to December—lots of parties, school vacation, and visits from family and friends. Of course, best of all is Christmas. Christmas carols surround us in the car and at the mall; our homes and churches are decked out to celebrate the birth of our Savior. A tree with a growing pile of presents underneath it helps us look forward to a special day and night. But then afterward, nothing. The days after Christmas can all seem so . . . boring!

Some Christian traditions continue to celebrate after December with the twelve days of Christmas. You might think of it as that song with a partridge in a pear tree and six maids a-milking, but there is more to the tradition that starts on Christmas Day and ends today, January 5. Families take twelve whole days to talk about Jesus, celebrate his birth, and give little gifts to one another each day. Twelve days of gifts? Sign me up!

The good news is, whether you celebrate twelve days of Christmas in your home or not, you can celebrate Jesus every day, enjoy great music that is focused on him, and both receive and give gifts long after Christmas. The best gifts aren’t wrapped in red and green paper and topped with bows. Sometimes these gifts are hugs, a good grade on a test, a compliment from a teacher, an unexpected snowman, or your favorite dessert.

Keep your eyes open and your heart ready; you’ll find that the Lord faithfully brings you a good gift 365 days each year.

How about You?

Every night before you go to bed, think about what gift God, someone in your family, or one of your friends has given to you that day. It might be small or large. It might be something you can touch or something that simply touches your heart.

God Says . . .

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father. James 1:17