For many the Christmas season is over – to be packed away for another year – to be forgotten for another 300 or so days and then revived with the buying of more gifts, more parties, more over-indulgence – to extend for a few more days with sales of Christmas items and the use of gift cards. What will we do with this holiday?  Do we just pack it away with all the other trappings or do we use it as a new beginning as it was intended for us? Here are a few suggestions which will keep Christmas alive for every day to come.

• Thank Him everyday for His unselfish gift.
• Tell someone else about it.  This news is too wonderful not to share.
• Trust in His promises to those who believe in Him.
• Expect His blessings on your life.
• Love your enemies, even when they are most unlovable.
• Look forward to eternity in heaven.  Victory over death has been won.
• Take on a servant attitude- always putting others first.
• Be compassionate.  Don’t assume others are out to get you.  Put the best outlook on their motives.
• Cherish every moment we are given on this planet.  We have all been placed here for a reason.  Our lives should be devoted to finding out what that is and acting on it.
• Use Him as an example for living.  Think of how wonderful this world would be if everyone did this!

Christmas should never end, for it is just the start of a wonderful life with Jesus.  He was sent to us on that first Christmas Day to bring a special gift from God, the Father.  That gift is our salvation and it is something we don’t deserve. The only way we can receive it is through Jesus. It is a gift that never loses value, never should be returned, never taken for granted and re-gifted as much as possible to others who need it just as much as we do.

As the decorations come down and the celebrations wane, let’s hold tightly to this precious gift, but not forget to share it with others.  It can change the world.