In this last week of our Christmas season we’ve been hearing a lot from the first letter of John in our daily scripture readings.  John reminds us what we celebrate during this season, and always – that with Christ in the world “the darkness has passed away and the true light now shines” (1 John 2:8). 

During the Christmas season we make such a point to focus on Jesus, to recognize the wonder of God incarnate, to feel God’s presence.  Our churches get more crowded, our neighborhoods get lit up, the carols and hymns are sung with gusto, our Christmas trees and mangers inspire us to moments of reflection. During the Christmas season we are inclined to reflect on all the good things that God has provided.  Our outlooks get more cheery, optimistic, and hopeful.  And maybe most importantly is how that cheery outlook inspires us to extend ourselves to others in a spirit of friendship and solidarity.

Unfortunately, the Christmas season does not last all year.  As every year, the time has now come to shut off the lights, take down the trees, and box up the mangers and all those other decorations.  

But even though we are now putting all of our Christmas decorations back in storage let’s not make the mistake of “putting away” Jesus.  Even though we are now moving into that more “ordinary” time of year, let’s not make the mistake of pushing God to the periphery.  Let’s not make the mistake of taking all those good things we receive from God for granted. 

It is true that all of our Christmas festivities have been wrapped up, but God’s gift of Jesus’ presence remains with us every day.  And this is our hope, our optimism, and our cheerfulness.  And this is what continues to bind all of us together. 

So we go forward into that “ordinary” time with a continuing celebration.  We celebrate Christ’s light in our “ordinary” lives and God’s love in the midst of all those “ordinary” happenings.  And we ask Jesus to help us live in the light of God’s love and to shine that light onto all those we encounter.