Next Day

Next Day
by Ruth Salazar on Monday, December 26, 2011 at 7:31am
The day after Christmas is often a day to return gifts..take down decorations and try to get your life back to a state of normalcy. "Putting Christmas away" till next year can be a busy day. As I look at my decorations and the little trees with lights that I brought to my home...I am thinking thoughts of what Christmas meant to me this year. I didn't do the usual stressing over buying and didn't really worry about what I would get. Since the year had brought quite a bit of sad events, I tried very hard to reflect on what I had to be thankful for and to keep my spirits uplifted as best I could. It wasn't easy at all, but whenever those thoughts crept in, I would drrect them to blessings rather than the lack in my life.

I don't want to "put Christmas away" this year. I want to keep the remembrance of the ones that were happier, and to think of the coming year as a year of promise and better times. I want to be able to promote the thought that Christmas is more about giving love than giving material things. I want Christ to be Who people think of on that day and the next and the days after.

This Christmas was a nostalgic one for me...missing those not present, and thankful for those who were. Family, friends and a church family that has become more like actual brothers and sisters has made Christmas and the next days something to look forward to every year. Peace be to all of you in the coming year. Keep the next days as meaningful as the day we celebrate Christ's birth.