In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see–I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:8-12; 16-19
There’s something about the after-Christmas days that are more satisfying and meaningful than most of the pre-Christmas days. Advent is, of course, an opportunity to do some spiritual preparation and be mindful of the significance of God’s gift to us of his beloved son. But the everyday world crowds in on us, “celebrating” Christmas earlier all the time. So perhaps the fact that our church calendar builds in some time after Christmas and before Epiphany, with the arrival of the wise men, is both helpful and healthy.
It seems that every year, a day or two after Christmas, I drive down the street, and there will be Christmas trees already at the curb, waiting for the recycling truck. They seem so tired and a little shabby, and I’m thinking, “What! Christmas isn’t over! How can they take down the tree already?” Well, everyone does things their own way, and usually for their own good reasons. But I’ve never been able to do that, and take great pleasure in having our homey little decorations up for another week or so.
I encourage you to take advantage of our Lutheran Christian tradition in the coming week and let the beauty of the story as told in the Gospels (each with its own unique emphasis) deepen and enrich your Christmas experience. The young girl who became the mother of our Lord is a model for true spiritual maturity, as she treasured and pondered all that the shepherds had told them. We would do well to take a little time during this season of Christmas to do the same.
Joy to the world!
Mary Rogers