Christmas. Is it Over?

Sometime around the end of January, my kids will usually take notice of a house that still has Christmas lights up, or a tree in the window still lit. They’ll shout out as we drive by, “It’s OVER!” We all laugh…

Yet, the beautiful reality is, it doesn’t really end. It is truly the Gift that keeps on giving. Jesus gives every minute:

Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness, Strength, Joy, Love, Light, Patience, Kindness, Goodness…the list of gifts goes on for eternity.

There was a Salvation Army bell-ringer outside our local grocery store this year. She was there since before Thanksgiving. Every.single.time I went the grocery store. Morning or night. She would sing at the top of her lungs. She would smile from ear to ear. If you were across the parking lot, she made sure to shout out, “Merry Christmas Sweetheart.” I ran in on Christmas Eve morning, for one last thing…and there she was. People were coming up to her and hugging her. I heard them tell her how she’s been a light this season and how she was a beautiful soul.

I agree.

Then I heard someone say that she was so full of joy. She responded, “All year round sweetheart. I’m like this all year round.”

Amen.

THAT is what we all need. True joy. All year round. Not just at Christmas. Because the truth is, He is present with us from here on to eternity. Can you stand it? Can you hold back the smile? The joy? The praise?

The kid were so eager with anticipation on Christmas morning…we should be so joyful in all.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

He is here. Rejoice!

SimplyLivingforHim

December 26, 2013 by Karen DeBeus

Karen DeBeus

Join me on my journey to clear the clutter as I am simply living...for Him! I am a homeschooling mom sharing about my faith, family, hobby-farm life, and Jesus. I am also an author and speaker and love sharing my journey with others- and I am all about keeping it real and authentic! Join me as I seek less of this world and more of Jesus! Karen DeBeus is a homeschooling mom learning to live more simply and keep God at the center of it all. She is the author of three best-selling homeschooling books and writes at Simply Living for Him. She speaks nationally at homeschooling conventions and recently was a speaker at the Family Bible Conference in Washington, DC. Her passion is to help others clear the clutter from their lives, seek God first, and to encourage women and families to get in the Word every day. In 2016, she founded the Simply Living for Him Retreat, which is a time of rest and renewal for all women seeking Jesus. She enjoys life on her hobby farm with her husband and four children. Together they are a work-at-home family pursuing a simple life with purpose and, above all, seeking to glorify God in all they do.