All Year Long!

This week I know I need to tackle what I consider to be the hardest job of the year: taking down the Christmas decorations.  Yes, it means a few hours of work as we once again pull out the boxes and storage bins, re-wrap all the fragile pieces, and try to put the lights away in such a way that they don’t come out a tangled mess next year (although they always seem to do!).  But, this is not the hardest job of the year because of the labor involved. Rather, it is hard because of what it signifies. 

At the end of November and on into December, everything around us is moving towards Christmas and the holiday season. With great excitement we pull down the boxes and bins, set up the tree, and gather the family to decorate it.  We put the wreath on the front door, set up the lights for neighbors and visitors to see, all in the hope of bringing a sense of joy and celebration to those who pass by.  And the momentum continues to build through the shopping, the parties, dinners, and special services.  But before we know it, Christmas (and New Year’s Day) is over and it’s time to take down the decorations. And, it’s this task that that signifies to me (and probably to most of us) that the season has come to an end. At that point we plunge into the next couple of months of winter without the lights and decorations of Christmas to offset the darkness and cold of the season! 

I’m reminded, however, of a song that Christian artist Larnelle Harris recorded a number of years ago entitled, “All Year Long.”  It tells the story of a dad and his son taking down their Christmas tree. As they do, the little boy asks, “Do we store away Jesus too?”  In response the father explains that the gift of Jesus’ birth and the salvation he brought can never be stored away.  The lyrics to the chorus are as follows:

All year long; We must worship day by day

All year long; Tis the season to obey

May the Christmas tree lights;

And the sleigh rides at night

Remind us all to stay in God's presence

All year long!

The Apostle Paul wrote,  “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love…indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 – NLT) And, that includes the taking down of Christmas decorations! 

Let’s be reminded today, the decorations and the celebrations may be seasonal. But, God’s love is for all year long!

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris