I always struggled with this time of year. All of a sudden it is over, for another year.

I used to have a close relative who got all stressed out over Christmas - like many of us, just got caught up in the expectations and materialism of the season. She used to say, after Christmas dinner, 'thank god, it's over for another year!' It's funny how we get derailed in our faith journey.

My thoughts turn to the holy family fleeing to a strange country out of fear for what Herod might do to their baby once he caught up with them. All of a sudden, the wonder of that holy night was swallowed up in a whirlwind of fearful moving. But not before they visited Simeon and Anna for blessing of the baby Jesus.

It is interesting how scripture puts all this story of salvation together. Luke spells out the history of fulfillment, that Jesus was given his name in the eighth day. Luke also reminds us that this name 'Jesus' is the name the angel said it was to be (Luke 1: 21).  Matthew, on the other hand, spells out the drama of the escape to refuge in Egypt.

Both stories paint a landscape of faith under trial. Both point to the irrefutable fact that God is in control- if we let God lead us along the troubled and sometimes dangerous path.  

After the celebration is over, life continues with its old trials- but also with possibilities for hope and change. That message of hope and change is the Christmas message in a nutshell- and this is why, even though we put away all the "Christmas stuff", its message is forever.

 "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight."