The Christmas Glow Continues

The space under the tree is empty and the presents are unwrapped. The food prepared yesterday is now leftovers packed up in the fridge. Company will soon be leaving and life will get back to normal.

But what will the next days hold for a Christian woman who just celebrated the birth of her Savior?

Does getting life back to normal mean that we lose the joy that this wonderful Christmas day brought? Do we return to complacency or do we surge forward with praise on our lips?

The choice is ultimately each individual woman's. I'm looking forward to my everyday routine starting tomorrow, but not the laziness I felt before this week. Setting aside the things of God like Bible study, journaling and prayer time is pure laziness, because we allow the things of the world to come before that precious time with the Lord.

Have you felt a resurgence of peace this week? Christ's birth revives our souls because we're reminded of our past, present and future relationship with Him. Do we take that fellowship on to the next stage this coming week, or do we allow ourselves to settle back in to what's comfortable and familiar?

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Are we ready to grow with God, to listen more carefully, be more aware of His leading as we walk down His path for us? Christmas gives us a beautiful jolt of emotion, but faith keeps us going when it's simply January again. It's not easy to maintain any relationship, especially one with the Lord, But the enrichment of our lives is when we have the stamina to overcome whatever hurdles will come along, trying to get us down and tear us away from God.

It's the joy of Christmas that reminds us of why we believe. It's the truth of Jesus' birth that leads us from now until Easter. It's the power of His death, burial and Resurrection that builds our faith. And it's His promised return that makes our daily walk worth every mile.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Go on from this Christmas with joy. Continue your walk with confidence in the Lord. Press on with faith and peace. The in-dwelling Holy Spirit will remind us of the Lord's birth and strengthen us until His return!

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