Merry Rest of the Year

Here comes the letdown, Christmas is overHere comes the meltdown, there goes the cheer But before we have a breakdown, let us remember The light of the world is still here

Happy day after Christmas And merry rest of the year Even when Christmas is over The light of the world is still here The light of the world

Come January I'm ready for summer The Super Bowl's over and I'll settle for spring Sometimes we all need a change in the weather But it won't change the reason we sing

Happy day after Christmas And merry rest of the year Even when Christmas is over The light of the world is still here

The light of the world The light of the world The light of the world So take down the stockings, take back the sweaters Take down the lights and the star and the tree But don't let this world take your joy after Christmas Take joy to the world and just sing

Happy day after Christmas And merry rest of the year Even when Christmas is over The light of the world is still here -Merry Rest of the Year, Matthew West

I'm always so bummed when Christmas is over. It seems like the magic of the season vanishes at midnight as mysteriously as Cinderella's carriage turned back into a pumpkin. We go so quickly from being like Buddy the Elf to being more like Ebenezer Scrooge once again as the dreary winter days loom before us.

We designate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as time for family, friends, traveling, fun, eating too many sweets, and biting our tongues to try to keep the peace. But as soon as the timer runs out, the leftovers are packed away, and the wrapping paper cleaned up, we resume our fast-paced lives as if none of it ever happened.

Who's to say that we can't carry the true spirit of Christmas with us throughout the year? Why can't we slow down to appreciate our friends and family, cherish the time we've been given, give thanks, spread joy, and do kind things for others, regardless of the season? We certainly could all use some more joy in our day to day lives, not just for one month out of the year.

Even though the holiday season is coming to a close, nothing has really changed. The greatest Gift ever given is still ours to have and to share with the rest of the world. Joy, peace, and cheer can all be found if we will only take the time to look for them, and if we look for them in the right places.

Let us be determined this year to live like it's Christmas all year long-- to spread goodness, thankfulness, and patience to those around us. Let us be beacons of joy, light, and life in a dark, chaotic world. Let's not succumb to the bleak winter weather with a sour attitude, letting our lives fade back into the mundane routine they were before the holidays provided us with some relief and a reminder of what's really important. May our lives instead be changed by the Advent season, refreshed and reoriented.

Let's challenge one another and spur each other on to be true ambassadors, messengers just like the angel in the Nativity story, carrying the truth of the Christmas story with us all year long. Let's hold tight to the beauty of Christmas, Christ, and the virgin birth, cherishing it all in our hearts all the year through. Even though the official holiday is nearly a whole year away, I want to say Merry Christmas to you!