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I was thankful to get to spend Christmas week with the family. This includes a fair amount of morning coffees, mid-day golf, evening dinners, and plenty of football. At some point in the middle of all of this I have the chance to watch my nephews open their presents, and one of my nephews is going through a season of, well, indifference to the gifts. They're kind of over it (even though the gifts are pretty cool). It's a funny sight to see because just last year he was overjoyed with each gift.

It's interesting that our joy in one season can unexpectedly and unintentionally turn into just-another-season mentality the next.

As we lean into the Christmas season and remember the wise men, we remember their joy upon seeing Jesus. It can't be overstated their response to Jesus. Matthew 2:10 says (in various translations):

  • "they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." (ESV)
  • "they could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!" (MSG)
  • " [the wise men were] overjoyed and enraptured." (VOICE)

Each Christmas season as we approach Christ, we have the chance to see Him with joy eyes or just-another-season eyes.

It's ok (and a good thing!) to be enraptured afresh with the Christmas story.

Keep the tree up.

Keep the songs churning.

Keep the lights lit.

Christmas is still here.