After Christmas... Now What?

This powerful message challenges us to shift our perspective from post-holiday letdown to purposeful reflection on God's faithfulness. Drawing from Luke 2:17-19, we encounter two contrasting yet complementary responses to Christ's birth: Mary's private meditation and the shepherds' public proclamation. Both responses offer us a blueprint for moving forward after the Christmas season ends. We're reminded that Mary, despite giving birth in a stable with no medical assistance, chose to treasure the goodness of God rather than focus on her difficult circumstances. The shepherds, meanwhile, couldn't contain their joy and told everyone who would listen about what they'd witnessed. This dual example invites us to adopt both practices in our own lives—to privately ponder God's faithfulness while publicly testifying to His goodness. The message confronts our tendency to fixate on what we lack, who didn't invite us, or what gifts we didn't receive, urging us instead to recognize the countless ways God has already provided. When we stop complaining about the absence of turkey and thank Him for the neck bones, when we acknowledge that unexpected sandwiches and hand-me-down shoes are divine provisions, we position ourselves to receive even greater blessings. This isn't about ignoring real struggles but about choosing gratitude as our default response, recognizing that perspective determines whether we see obstacles or opportunities.