Shelving Baby Jesus

“Then everyone deserted him and fled.” Mark 14:50

One of the most guaranteed frustrations when my children were little was realizing the gifts they most desired for Christmas kept their attention for only a few days.  Some things they wanted took a miracle to find, only to end up tucked away in a closet after a few days.  It is the week after Christmas, and hopefully we are beginning to box up decorations, stash away boxes and bows for next year, and throw away the Christmas leftovers.  The credit card bill will soon come in, and the calendar will once again boast of obligations and clutter.  We have been keenly focused over the past week on baby Jesus and God’s gift of a Savior.  We have attended powerful candlelight services, possibly enjoyed communion and had Jesus on our minds.  But are we like our young children a few days after Christmas?  Have we become bored with keeping our mind on Jesus?  Do we relegate Him to the closet until Easter when He is once again invited as our focus?  Are we like the disciples who turn our face away from God and flee after the things of this world?

Seeing the lifeless Christmas trees laying on the side of the road, and the large trashcans full of torn wrapping paper and boxes are directives for us to get back to normal life.  But shouldn’t normal life be the worship and praise of Jesus every day?  Isn’t His life, walk and sacrifice worthy of celebration the entire year?  Why is so hard to stay focused on who He is, and what He did for us the rest of the year?  I am certain it is because Satan hates Christmas, and immediately distracts us!  He wants to get back to business as usual, where he doesn’t have to work so hard.  He hates that there is even one day when celebrating Jesus is easy.  He hates that there is impenetrable joy, sweet fellowship, love and laughter between the people of God for a little while.  He hates that extra kindness is being shown during the season, resources are being shared, God is being worshiped and churches are full. 

Wouldn’t it be great to enrage the serpent every day of the year?  We can do just that!  Every morning we can make God first.  Dust will not collect on our Bibles when our hands are all over it.  Prayer will be on our lips instead of plans on our minds.  We can serve others the rest of the year, not giving Satan any foothold.  Through our intentional efforts we will not put the most wonderful gift of this season in the closet.  We will carry Him around with us, include Him in every decision that comes upon us, and trust Him in every adversity that finds us.  He is for us and desires us 365 days of the year, so let’s let Him what He so desires.  Let’s use our authority and tread on Satan.

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”  Luke 10:19