Christmas is Over. Now What?

 

Oh, the Post-Christmas Crash.

 

I think one of the greatest lessons from Christmas is how we are reminded that nothing on this earth will ever truly satisfy us. The presents and parties and food and people...they are all wonderful, gracious blessings from the greatest Gift Giver of All.

 

But when the excitement fades and the sugar crash sets in,

 

when we look around and our house has exploded with shredded wrapping paper and stacks of dirty dishes (see picture above),

 

when the squeals of happiness morph into whines of ingratitude that we didn't get exactly the gift we were hoping for, or shouts of protest that we are now expected to share the ones we did get

 

...what then? What happened to the promise whispered in our ears that if we could just have (fill in the blank), life would be perfect?

 

If we are wise, we will wake to the realization that what we have believed is a lie from the Enemy, seeking to lure our hearts further away from the only Source of true soul nourishment. Nothing, aside from Christ, will ever satisfy our hungry hearts. No amount of toys, friends, family, food, acceptance, “me time,” meditation, houses, cars, vacations, clothes...whatever false god our heart tricks itself into believing it must have to be happy. In the end, they all leave us empty.

 

They were designed to fail.

 

And when they do, we are faced with the choice to keep shoving more of the same junk into ourselves, hoping somehow this time they will fix the ache –

 

or instead fall on our knees and crawl into the lap of our sweet Savior who is just waiting for us to realize that only in His presence alone is there fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

 

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David...

Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.”

- Isaiah 55: 1-3, 6