Make this December 26 better than last year’s

In the past, the day after Christmas was one of my least favorite days of the year.

My feelings had less to do with saying goodbye to the “hap-happiest season of all” and more to do with how I lived the weeks leading up to Christmas Day. I’m ashamed to say that during these years, my focus wasn’t as much on Christ as it was on my desperate need to have the warm and fuzzy Christmases I saw in most Christmas movies. 

Because I had spent multiple Christmases alone or in a hospital behavioral health (mental) unit battling major depression and eating disorders, I tried to compensate for past Christmases, especially those I’d spent without my children. A deep sadness and escalating anger overshadowed the joy of the Christmas season.

I deeply desired to move beyond my hurt-filled past, but I didn’t know how. 

Thankfully, those years are long gone. But if I’m not careful, I still find myself clawing for that perfect Christmas, making my emotional needs the reason (or at least my focus) for the season. 

Perhaps you can relate, at least a little bit, to what I’m saying. Maybe you get so caught up with the hustle and bustle of the holiday that you unintentionally keep Baby Jesus in the manger.

Or perhaps you focus more on the gift-giving (and receiving) part than on your Savior.

Maybe your circumstances or loss – your “story” – is much, much more heartbreaking than mine. 

The good news is that we can celebrate the rest of this Christmas season with great joy – and honor God the way He so mightily deserves. 

Read Matthew 2.:11 (ESV): “And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.” How would it change our Christmas if we would “see” Jesus for all that He is: our Lord, our Redeemer, our Provider, our Hope? 

How would it change this December 26 if we drew near to the King of kings and “fell down and worshiped Him” in our hearts throughout the rest of this holy season and into the new year? 

The more we draw near to and worship Him, the more we’ll become aware of how much He loves us and has intervened in our circumstances. The more we become aware of all He has done for us – and in us – the more we’ll experience healing from our pain and anger. Eventually, we’ll experience a joy we haven’t known for a long time.

And perhaps the day after Christmas will no longer feel empty but instead reflect the joy and healing found in drawing near to Jesus.

Sheryl H. Boldt, a Franklin County resident, is a faith columnist and the author of the blog www.TodayCanBeDifferent.net. You can reach her at SherylHBoldt@gmail.com.