Quiet of the Day After

1 Peter 3:15-16

Verse 15  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect,

    One reason many people look forward to Christmas is that most people seem happier and kinder during the joyous season.  That leads to an emotional crash following the season.  As Christians we know that the joy and hope of Christmas doesn’t end on Christmas.  We are to have the peace He gives all year through because He isn’t our Savior only at Christmas.

    Peter know the cost of following Jesus 24/7.  Since being called from his fishing business to follow Jesus being a fisher of men, he had a front row seat to watching the reason of Christmas play out through Jesus ministry.  Peter had seen more than some of the other disciples because he was one of the three who were closest to Jesus.  He needed the lessons he would learn during those years because being a follower of Jesus took a dangerous turn following the resurrection.

    Knowing this about Peter should make us understand the importance of our passage today.  When he said that it was important to revere Christ as Lord he was showing that he knew the truth of Christmas didn’t end with the ascension.  Jesus wasn’t just Christ at His birth, death and resurrection, it was who He was all the time.  Even now as He awaits the end of time, He remains in His Lordship.  But do we consistently make the choice of surrendering to His Lordship all yearlong?

    Christmas is isn’t just about remembering Christ’s birth, it is about remembering what it means to have Him as Lord.  It is following in Mary’s footsteps of saying, “I am the Lord’s servant may it happen as you have said.”  And we can’t just say this about the big things in life, but it really shows when we say that for the so-called small things in life.

    Christmas is our yearly reminder to show the kindness He showed, speak the truth the way He spoke it, and live holy as He was holy.  This is how we keep the spirit of Christmas alive in our hearts the whole year through.  We focus on Him and live as He has called us to live.  Even some non-Christians are drawn nearer to Christ during the Christmas season, imagine how many would be drawn to Him if we lived the Christmas spirit all year through.

Making It Personal

    Do you leave the Christmas spirit on Christmas or carry it on through the New Year?  What needs to change in your life to live in reverence to Him?  What do you think a yearlong Christmas spirit looks like?

Making It Personal Kids

    What do you think it means to revere God?  How can living like Jesus help others see Him?  How has knowing Jesus changed your life?

Closing Prayer

    Father, it is so easy to feel like the joy ends with Christmas day, but we know that You are the source of true joy and You are always with us.  Help us to live in the joy of surrender to You throughout the whole year.  In Jesus’ name, amen.