Well, Christmas is past and it’s time to get back to life as usual. Or, should it? I recently heard that the reason why people experiance such an euphoria during Christmas time is because they are remembering the good and pleasant memories of Christmas’ in the past. Apparently, when people remember good and pleasant memories a chemical reaction is triggered that creates the euphoria so often times prevelant during this time of year. Hmmm. Have you ever heard it said that even large secular companies understand the benefit of charitable giving? Isn’t that a principle that God instituted, give and it shall be given to you? Sort’ve sounds like what has been commonly, but erronously, referred to as ‘seed faith’ giving. Funny how that even non-Christian organizations understand the benefit of giving, a principle that God established.
Well, I think the same thing can be said about this Christmas euphoria that people so often times experience during this time of year. We are told that the joy of the Lord is our strength, right? What is the joy of the Lord? Is it some cosmic thing that we wait to have dropped in our laps? What is it? Simply, the joy of the Lord could be summed up by saying it is in remembering and thinking about what the Lord has done in our lives, or even in the lives of others. When we do this there is great strength to be gained. We hear of King David reminding himself of the good things of God just to encourage himself, so why wouldn’t we do that. It is amazing how that medical science is now verifying that on a medical level there is a benefit to remembering and thinking of the good things of the past.
So, why should the Christmas euphoria end with Christmas? If our Christmas euphoria is correctly focused on Jesus, both His birth and His death and resurrection, then there is no reason for it to end. In fact, the joy and strength we receive when we remember the things of the Lord should be year round and actually carry through the Christmas time of year. Can you imagine how much more it would add to your Christmas if this was the case?
I’ve been focusing a lot on remembering, but it is when we remember that we receive joy and strength. I know that I need to focus more of my time and thoughts around remembering and thinking about the things He’s done in my life, which I am determined to do, and I challange you to do the same. You can never remember and think about Him too much, especially since it is in Him that we even have life both here and in eternity. In fact, there is such a joy that comes when sharing those very things with others. Something that we are even told to do. We can’t keep those memories to ourselves. We need to share those memories with others because not only will it bless and encourage you, but it could be the very thing that helps and encourages them. They, too, can experience the joy of the Lord just in hearing of how God has blessed and moved in your life.
Copyright 2012 – John Johansson
Well done! You put to words thoughts that have been rumbling unfocused for a couple of weeks now.