Open yourself up to another way
The trimmings and wrappings, the ribbons and bows have all been tucked safely away or discarded, the hustle and bustle a memory now.
Old traditions have been honoured and new ones made as we shared laughter, meals and love with family and friends.
Yes, Christmas is over and we look towards a new year — of what exactly? Will we have sorrow? Maybe. Will we experience some loneliness, fear, perhaps an empty nest or loss? Likely so. Will we face new challenges? Of course. There will be decisions to be made and how we succeed in all of these depends on what choices we make now — at the cusp of this exciting, terrifying new year!
We are familiar with the Christmas story — the angels, the shepherds and the wise men who all sought the baby in the manger. We recall Herod and his distress at the news that a baby had been born in Bethlehem, anxiously telling the wise men to “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, so that I may come and worship him also.” Matthew 2:8 (KJV)
Herod’s words did not match his heart so God intervened: “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” Matthew 2:12 (KJV) Herod’s plan was foiled and God’s plan succeeded.
We have a choice to make now that will greatly affect the rest of this year and the new year we are blessed to walk into. Instead of doing things as we have traditionally done, and getting the same results, we can choose to go another way. Yes, put the decorations away but we can let the spirit of Christmas — the love, the laughter, the sharing and the joy — become part of us and carry us into the next year with confidence that whatever lies before us has already been touched by the hand of God. He has a plan for us and, if we allow Him, He will intervene and we will succeed.
Oh, we may shed some tears along the way and we may know rejection, even some heartache, but we will not be alone. God has promised to never leave us to walk day by day on our own. “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)
Personally, this last year has been one of deep loss and grief for me and my family. But through it all we have been strengthened and assured that the Lord has shared each tearful moment with us and we know that everything that is to come will also be filtered through the hand of God. He keeps his word — all the time!
So, my prayer is that you will, with me, let go of “how things have always been” and go another way; let God plan the year and shake things up His way. The new year will be gloriously eventful and wonderful! Blessings and love to one and all from my heart to yours!