The After Christmas Let Down

I have heard many people say that the days following Christmas are so depressing.  The Christmas music is no longer playing, the decorations come down and the house looks empty, the gifts are opened and put away, and the beautiful lights are turned off.  The joy of Christmas is gone. 

"You have filled my heart with greater joy." Psalm 4:7

If you feel that "after Christmas let down" then where are you getting your joy?  Is your joy is having company over for dinner, receiving a gift, decorations or holiday movies?  If it is, then you will feel that let down.  Your joy will be gone. 

We can only have true joy in Christ.  This year for Christmas, I was determined to have a peaceful, relaxing holiday.  I did many different things to help this peaceful atmosphere such as lighting candles, relaxing by the fireplace, going to bed early, and so on.  But God really spoke to me one day.  He told me that all of those things, though they are all great, mean nothing without Him.

The one and only true source of peace and joy come from Christ.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying having friends or family over, decorating, special music or movies, sitting by the fire place or even in receiving a nice gift.  Those things are okay.  But not where we should get our joy. 

The joy that comes from God does not stop when your company leaves for the night or when you pack away the red bows and twinkling lights.  The joy of God stays all day, all year long.  It is there when the bills are paid in full or when the debts are piling up.  It is there when you are healthy and energetic or when you are sick, lying in bed.  God's joy is real and constant.

"The joy of the Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song." Psalm 28:7

If you are feeling that empty, let down feeling then spend some extra time in worship today.  Let God's true joy fill you. 

Sweet Blessings~