What Do We Do Now That Christmas Is Over?
Scripture: Matthew 2:1–12
After Christmas Syndrome
The gifts have been unwrapped and your trash can is full. All the friends and family are on their way home from the holidays. The tree is ready to be taken down along with all the other decorations. Another Christmas has come and gone leaving with you with the post-holiday blues.What do Christians do, now that Christmas is over? Do we simply settle back into the old routine? Do we become blue? Do we pack away the Christmas spirit? Do we put it up until next year? A family was driving by the church a few days after Christmas when the little boy noticed that the nativity scene had been taken down. He said, innocently enough, ‘‘I see they’ve put Jesus away for another year.’’ Unfortunately, all too often that is what happens. Jesus gets put away with all the wrappings, nativity scenes, lights, ornaments, etc.
What do we do now that Christmas is over? Well, there are some people who can show us what to do now that Christmas is over. Their story is found in Matthew 2:1–12. It is the account of the Wise Men, or the Magi.
The Magi
Who were these Magi? According to the ancient historian Herodotus, the Magi were a tribe of people within the larger people called the Medes. They were a hereditary priesthood tribe, somewhat like the Levites in Israel. They functioned as the priests in their pagan rituals. From the time of the Babylonian Empire to the Roman Empire, they maintained a place of tremendous prominence and significance in the Orient. Is it strange that God chose them to show us what we should do now that Christmas is over? There are two things the Magi did that we can do all throughout the year:
- We can seek Christ throughout the year (2:1, 2). The text makes it clear they were on a mission. They were seeking the King of the Jews. These men sought the Christ long after the miracle of the birth took place.
- When we genuinely seek Christ, it will require some things of us.
They choose to seek the Christ, but it required some things of them. The same is true for us. When we seek Christ, it will require some things of us. It takes effort to seek Christ. They had to make a long journey and overcome some great obstacles. On top of that, they had to deal with some difficult people such as the religious leaders and the self-absorbed and dangerous King Herod. It takes time to seek Christ. It took a lot of the Magi’s time. Seeking Christ is not a one-time experience. Seeking Christ is not something that can be rushed. It requires that we spend time with Him. It takes sacrifice to seek Christ. These Magi made great sacrifices to find the Christ. Seeking Christ will require sacrifices on your part. Paul certainly was willing to make those sacrifices (Phil. 3:1–11).
- When we genuinely seek Christ, we will find Him.
‘‘And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.’’ (Jer. 29:13)
- When we genuinely seek Christ, we will be richly blessed.
We will be richly blessed as we experience His presence (2:11). We will be richly blessed as we experience His joy (2:10). ‘‘You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’’ (Ps. 16:11)
How do we seek Him? Here are a few things we can do.
- Pray
- Spend time daily in God’s Word
- Maintain a daily quiet time
- Attend church regularly
- We can worship Christ throughout the year (2:11).
Worship is the most important work of the church. Worship is the lifeblood of the church. Worship is the most important service of the believer; therefore, it should be the highest priority of the believer.
How do we worship Christ? We can learn some things from these Magi.
- We make Him the focus of our worship as the Magi did when they immediately focused on the Christ child.
- We submit our life to Him as the Magi did when they bowed before Christ.
- We give our all to Him as the Magi did when they gave their expensive gifts to Christ.
Conclusion: What do we do now that Christmas is over? We seek and worship Christ. We worship Him year-round. We seek Him every day!
A man was sitting in his living room in the middle of January when he heard a thin, piping voice singing ‘‘O Come, All Ye Faithful.’’ He went to his front door and opened it, and there was a little boy singing
Christmas carols. He said to the boy, ‘‘What are you doing?’’
The child replied, ‘‘I’m singing Christmas carols.’’ The man said, ‘‘Why, son, it’s the middle of January.’’
The little boy said, ‘‘I know, but I had the measles during Christmas, and I’m just now getting around to doing my caroling.’’ Let’s not just do it at Christmas but year-round!