After a huge build-up to Christmas, and having a most wonderful Christmas, I would normally be feeling: “Now what do I do?”

I still have a couple days off from work, I am down to one child until after the first of the year, and I am running out of puzzles to assemble.

It is still Advent for those of us who Celebrate the Christmas season. Normally I go from Christmas straight to Easter, not stopping to focus on the very real season of Advent. From my Advent Devotionals booklet, today is the fifth day of Christmas. The fifth of 12 days of Christmas, although these 12 days are a bit different than the song 🙂

“Christmas is indeed a huge deal in our country. But is our world really that much different than the first century? How often is Jesus’ birth overshadowed by Christmas specials about St. Nick, snowmen, or grinches? Can we see the torch-lit manger beyond the bright, holiday lights, the high-gloss advertisements, the preoccupying parties? How often do our own Christmas planning and preparations push Him off to the side?” (The World Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us, 2013, Lutheran Hour Ministries, pg. 23)

I know I tried to Keep Jesus at the forefront of my Christmas celebrations, and I think I did a good job, but of course could have done better. So I will focus on Advent, as we move into the Easter season, and keep putting the important things 1st.

Do you have a special tradition you do at Christmas to honor our Lord?