We did it.

We made it through the rushing bustle of errands and lists and mailing and wrapping and baking and entertaining, all while trying to savor the moments. And now maybe the family is heading home and the tree is shedding needles and there’s still a load of clothes in the washer and no one knows where to put their new stuff.

Where’s the wonder and anticipation today? We looked forward to the giving and receiving, and we’re thankful but not really excited about the credit card bill coming in a couple weeks. We looked forward to Jesus’ advent and now He’s here, but what does that matter when you’re tired of the guests and you’re tired of the carols and the kids are tired of each other?

I traditionally have a silent pity party the day after Christmas. The post-festivity letdown is real and I only have my last nerves. Maybe you’ve noticed this attitude in your kids, too. Clearly I am super mature.

The let down is what remains of celebrating anything we can accomplish on our own. Anticipation is one of life’s joys. It is a gift to be able to anticipate something wonderful. But when we are preparing for something like Christmas, what are we really looking forward to?

If I put my hope in the magic of Christmas, in expecting our kids to gush with gratitude over everything they open, in dreaming my husband will anticipate what I want to find under the tree, (for the record, he hit the nail on the head) or in the miracle of the whole family sitting down at the same table for supper for once–those things can’t carry us beyond the next few hours. The magic wears off and family gets stressful again and the shiny new things can’t fix my desire to feel adequate.

Now it’s back to normal life. Why celebrate this momentous event if we return to normal so quickly? Does normal include this Christ child–this One begotten, not made, Maker and sustainer, author and completer?

What is Christmas for if not for today?

When God begins something, it is always part of His ever increasing kingdom and government and peace. There is only continuity, no slack, no “now what?”

There is no let down when He sits down from His work. We can hope for and anticipate His involvement daily, so long as we have our eyes on Him rather than what we expect Him to do for us. So long as we don’t expect Brownie points for all the work we do for Him assuming thinking He should be impressed by our effort.

Immanuel–God with us.

If he was with us yesterday on Christmas Day, and joined our humanity two thousand years ago, He will be with us today.

May we anticipate His appearing–in our kitchens, in our cars, in our offices. Let us hope for His intervention in every thing that concerns us–not dependent upon our own resources or effort, but looking to Him to show up in the coming days and into the new year. Let every one of our hearts prepare Him room.