Sitting with a second cup of warm coffee, watching my favorite cooking channel on the day after Christmas. Damp hair tops my head and leftovers fill my tummy after my day after Christmas walk.

Emotions were high as my feet hit the pavement this morning. God and I had some talking to do and we needed to be serious. The thoughts of “putting up” Christmas had my heart in a knot. You know. Putting up the gifts we’ve opened. Putting up the leftover food. Putting up the decorations.

Will I put up Christmas today? After all, tomorrow is Sunday and then Monday will call with the long to-do list.

And the tears fell.

Can we really put up Christmas?

Should we put up Christmas ?

Each foot pounded the pavement and I poured out my thoughts to my Friend. “Lord, I don’t want to put up Christmas. Let it linger longer. Lord, did I put out and not take in? Oh forgive me for trying to master the art of an outward display of Christmas without taking in the very heart of Christmas.”

Taking in Christmas is what My heart desires! Taking in the love born that day can never be put away.

Taking in Jesus.

Allowing His goodness to sink deep within the crevices of our hearts…oh, that’s taking in Christmas!

Taking Jesus in, making room in our hearts to adore the child born on Christmas Day is a gift that cannot be put away.

Sweep away the glitter, turn down the twinkling lights , clear out the bags of torn paper and bows. Tuck away the ornaments, remove the adornments for the doors and windows.

Its ok. That’s not Christmas anyway.

The goodness of His Love, the luster of His grace, the sweetness of His mercy will all remain long after we put away our things if we truly take in Christ at Christmas.

Words written last year jumped off the page straight into my aching heart:

Christmas was yesterday. Christ is always.
Adore Him.
His birth was long awaited.
Adore Him.
His life was filled with love.
Adore Him.
His death was with great purpose.
Adore Him.
Christmas was yesterday.
Christ is always.
Adore Him.

Merry Christmas friends! Everyday of the year,

Jodie

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

Galatians 4:4-7