Have the January blahs set in yet? You know, that feeling when Christmas is over, the lights and the tree have been taken down, the kids are back in school and there are no more “feel-good” movies on TV, no more parties? January arrives in grimness, black, white and cold enough to split your bones. You’re flung back into the real world and realize, it’s going to be a loooong winter.
The fantasy of Christmas is over.
I must admit, I love the magic of the decorated tree and the way the Holy Family looks with the manger bathed in the soft glow of Christmas lights. I love the stories of kindness and charity that surface during the holidays. I love Christmas cards, and stuffing, pannetone, and stollen.
The fantasy of Christmas.
Maybe the January blahs come on purpose. Maybe God says to us, “Wake up from your fantasy and believe in me as I was and as I am. The manger was miserably cold and dark. It smelled. Mary and Joseph had no fine clothes or rich desserts. I never saw a Christmas tree or sent a greeting card. There was no party, the shepherds who came were bewildered and frightened.”
Does God hurt when we say, “Christmas isn’t like it used to be,” does He ask, “Who’s to blame?” when we complain, “Christmas is too commercial?” Does He think we missed the point, when we sigh, “Oh, well, Christmas is for children,”?
Maybe He sends January to awaken us, hoping that by stripping away the glitz both of the holidays and our natural world we will mature in faith. It is possible, you know, to mature in faith at any age–until the hour He calls us home. We can practice His presence, right now, this very minute as we imagine Him sitting here, holding our hand. We can meditate on a verse or chapter of the Bible. We can pray with a friend, or for an enemy. We can lend a hand or smile at a stranger. We can listen to the whisper of the Holy Spirit and venture into sacred territory. We can discover spiritual authors and saints and share in their love and worship of God. We can remember the child we were, before loss, disappointment, and age overcame us. And we can come to God anew.
Almighty Father, Christmas is for children, and we are and always will be your children. It is a mystery that we can mature in faith by becoming children again but Jesus told us we must be born again to enter heaven. Help us relinquish our hurts and fears and place ourselves in your hands. Help us to receive your gift of forgiveness by letting go of old guilts and regrets. Help us to accept that you are with us now and forever. Amen.
