ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

All the excitement has come to an end – or has it. Christmas has passed – the lights will remain for another week or so. Using those gift cards and spending more money will be the call of the wild for the next few weeks. Soon the decorations will come down and be stored for another year. Or if you’re like me, my Charlie Brown tree will go in a box, but my collection of hand carved Santas will remain out. Winter will settle in and bring us below temperatures with icy roads, snow and more snow. The short break between summer and winter will eventually give way to new growth of spring. The amazing, comforting, inspirational emotions will last for a while and then things return to normal (whatever that is.)

The celebration of Easter will soon be with us, but soon the excitement of that holiday will also wear thin. Our lives are a series of ups and downs. Down time can give way to depression and anxiety. The aging process can add to that when our bodies give up and most of our time is spent in a chair or taking a nap. Each celebration of the year gives us something to look forward to – the promise of family gatherings – the excitement of the season – the end result. Christmas, however, should never end. The birth of God in the flesh is the core of the celebration. His life didn’t end in that manger. His mission was directly from His Father in heaven. He came with the sole purpose of redemption of mankind. Sins would die with Him on the cross. Death wouldn’t hold Him. He rose from death and ascended back into heaven to assure our place in paradise. So, the worldly view of Christmas can leave us empty after it has been packed away, but the truth of salvation and eternal life will continue to be available to us. Begin the final season with the surety that your sins have been forgiven. Life will go on in a much better place.

Live in my heart forever, God.  Give light to a darkened world.

Bestow on us your gift of love, through Jesus, Christ our Lord.

A peace that lasts forever.  A light that always shines.

He will forsake us never.  His hands are open wide.

Prepare us for salvation through Your own precious Son,

And grant us peace – a lasting peace – for each and everyone.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY. HELP ME TO KEEP CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART EVERY DAY AND SHARE THAT TRUTH WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN SAVED.