In the Bleak Midwinter

Nahum 1:7

After the glow surrounding Christmas, a cold, snowy January and February can feel even darker by contrast. Friends and family go home and decorations come down. It can be tough to sustain that feeling of God’s presence very near to Earth and to us. But if our God were only there when things are merry and bright, he wouldn’t be a very powerful God, would he? In fact, it’s often in darkness that his light shines brighter, even if we see it only after the fact. 

Questions for further thought:
1. Do you find it hard to sustain the joy of Christmas after the New Year’s celebrations are done?
2. What do you do to help counteract the letdown after the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year”?  

Challenge: Notice and acknowledge any sadness you might feel when the holidays are over. Give yourself permission to take time to relax and not immediately jump into removing all traces of Christmas; after all, the 12 Days of Christmas actually last until January 5! God is still with us.