The Christmas Blues: Staying Joyful After The Jollification
No other season or holiday holds a candle to Christmas. For months, we eagerly anticipate the most wonderful time of the year. Family, friends, food and fun, and a season of heightened worship brighten our world with a joyful glow and affection only seen and felt at Christmas.
Then it’s over. Fervor fades to frigid as the rush and fuss of routine resumes. The nostalgia for Christmas seems to wane as we get older.
Busy schedules, cultural attacks on tradition, the ascent of the self, and our ever more atomized families can draw our hearts and minds away from the firm foundation we share in the essentials of our faith in Christ.
The joy of Christmas is not confined to a date on the calendar but is the heartbeat of the Christian life. Our challenge is to not let our familiarity with the nativity story make it seem ordinary.
Now that it has passed, we have the opportunity to ground ourselves afresh in the foundational truths of our Faith so that everyday would be infused with a sense of awe and gratitude for what Christ has done for us while we were yet sinners and rebels against Him.
Dear friends, the universal church founded by Jesus Christ celebrates the Savior’s birth at this time as a tradition. Jesus is the greatest gift ever given, and therefore His birth is worthy of celebration year-round.
Psalm 95:1, “Oh come, let us sing for joy to The LORD, Let us make a loud shout to the rock of our salvation.”
May this offering deepen your relationship with Christ, expand your knowledge of truth, and extend the light and joy of Faith beyond the Holiday season.
Outline:
Rekindle Your Love For Sweet Routines
Grounding Ourselves in Foundational Truths
Fear and Anxiety About the State of the World
Five Reasons You Can Trust The Bible
What It Means To Be A Follower of Christ
1. Renew Your Awe in the Familiar
Familiarity with the nativity story can make it feel ordinary, but the incarnation of Christ is anything but. The Apostle Paul reminds us that Jesus,
“…though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:6–8)
The wonder of the incarnation is that the Creator entered creation to redeem it. This truth should evoke fresh awe, not just during Christmas but every day.
To beat the Christmas blues, shift your focus from the fleeting feelings of a season to the eternal significance of Christ’s coming. The same Savior we worshipped on Christmas Day remains our joy and hope throughout the year. Rest daily in His assurance,
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
2. Grounding Ourselves in Foundational Truths
Revisit the Gospel Daily
The incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ are not just historical events but living realities. Let these truths anchor your heart beyond the holiday,
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” (John 1:14) and “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Cultivate Gratitude
Christmas reminds us of God’s ultimate gift, and gratitude is the antidote to post-holiday letdown. Develop a habit of daily thanksgiving for what Christ has done. As the apostle encourages,
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Worship as a Lifestyle
Worship is a way of life that extends far beyond Christmas carols and candlelight services and sustains joy throughout the year. Paul calls us to present our bodies,
“as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1)
Prioritize Community
Isolation can deepen the Christmas blues, but the Christian life is meant to be lived in community. Engage with your church family regularly, keeping the spirit of fellowship alive. As the writer of Hebrews encourages us,
“stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.” (Hebrews 10:24–25)
Embrace the Eternal
True and lasting joy cannot be found in the temporal world, but only comes from living in light of the eternal—the unchanging holiness of the One True and Only Living God. The Christmas blues often stem from placing our hope in people and pleasures that cannot possibly shoulder the full responsibility of creating joy that lasts eternally.
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” —Augustine
By grounding our joy in Christ, we can avoid the emotional letdown that comes when seasonal pleasures fade.
“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” —C.S. Lewis
Christmas points us to that other world, a kingdom that does not end and a joy that is truly eternal.
Carrying the Light of Christmas Forward
Let Christmas be the starting point, not the end.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (The Lord Jesus Christ, John 8:12)
The light of Christmas shines beyond December illuminating the path of discipleship throughout the year.
As you pack away the decorations, let the truth of the incarnation stay unpacked in your heart. Make every day an opportunity to marvel at God’s love, live in gratitude, and share the joy of salvation with the world around you.
By grounding yourself in these truths, the blues of the “day after” can transform into the bright hope of a life lived for Christ.
3. Fear and Anxiety About the State of the World
When headlines suggest chaos and impending doom, it’s easy to believe the end is near and that Christ’s return will swiftly resolve all earthly struggles.
But Scripture invites us to think differently about the progression of God’s kingdom. The kingdom of God doesn’t advance like a rocket but more like a slow, arduous hike through rugged terrain.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2)
This passage highlights God’s enabling grace to help us “run with endurance,” reminding us that grace is not passive but empowers us to persevere. Our attention must be trained on Christ, who provides the ultimate example of perseverance and whose grace sustains us. The “cloud of witnesses” points to the persistent grace that carried others in the faith through far worse trials, inspiring us to rely on the same divine strength.
The race, our endurance, is run not in our strength but by the persistent grace of Christ, who began and will complete the work in us (Philippians 1:6).
Christ’s Victory Through Apparent Defeat
Consider Jesus’ crucifixion: to the world, it seemed like the ultimate failure. The religious leaders and Roman authorities celebrated His death as the end of a threat.
His disciples were devastated, hiding in fear. Yet what seemed like defeat was, in reality, the most decisive victory in history. The world was changed forever.
As John 15 and 16 reveal, while the world believed it had won, Jesus was inaugurating the church age. His resurrection marked the beginning of the gospel’s unstoppable spread.
Rome would eventually crumble, the temple would fall, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit would empower the greatest advancements in human history.
A Call to Persevere
In difficult times, believers are called to persevere. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that our confidence is in Christ, who has made a way for us through His sacrifice (Hebrews 10:19–39).
“For we know the one who has said, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:30-31)
“For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him. But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved.” (Hebrews 10:36-39)
Though trials may come, we must encourage one another, remain steadfast, and press on with faith, knowing that God’s judgment and promises are sure.
2 Peter 3:1–7 also warns that scoffers will arise, questioning God’s promises. They will mock the idea of Christ’s return, forgetting that God’s word once brought the flood and will one day bring judgment.
“Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires, saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised? …the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” (2 Peter 3:3-4,7)
Similarly, Jude exhorts us to remain in the love of God, praying in the Spirit, building our faith, and awaiting Christ’s mercy for eternal life (Jude 17–21).
“But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. Have mercy on those who waver; save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jude 20-23)
Hope Amid Challenges
The advance of God’s kingdom may seem slow and imperceptible, but history shows that Christ’s work transforms lives and societies over time. Like the early church enduring persecution and loss, we are called to hold fast, trusting that God’s plan is unfolding according to His perfect timing.
Let us fix our eyes on Christ, the True Vine, and persevere in faith, knowing that His kingdom is advancing, even when the world appears to falter. The Day of the Lord will come, but until then, we are called to abide, endure, and build one another up in hope.
4. Five Reasons You Can Trust The Bible
The Bible is a completely unique ancient text, unparalleled in its historicity, manuscript evidence, and internal consistency, which collectively demonstrate God’s divine hand in preserving its purity. From the earliest writings, such as Job (c. 2000–1500 BC), to the final words of Revelation (c. AD 90–95), the Bible stands as a cohesive narrative of God’s redemptive plan, transcending time, culture, and geography. Here are five reasons you can trust the Bible:
Unparalleled Manuscript Evidence
The Bible has the most extensive and well-preserved manuscript tradition of any ancient text:
Old Testament: The Dead Sea Scrolls (dated as early as 3rd century BC) confirm the accuracy of the Hebrew Scriptures over millennia.
New Testament: Over 5,800 Greek manuscripts and thousands of early translations exist, some dating to within decades of the original writings. This dwarfs other ancient works, such as Homer’s Iliad (with fewer than 2,000 manuscripts, most over 1,000 years removed from the original).
Historical Reliability
The Bible is rooted in history, not mythology. Archaeological discoveries consistently affirm its details:
Cities like Jericho, Nineveh, and Jerusalem align with biblical accounts.
Historical figures, such as King David and Pontius Pilate, once doubted, have been confirmed through inscriptions and artifacts.
The Bible uniquely bridges theology with real historical events, demonstrating God’s intervention in human history.
Internal Consistency
Despite being written by over 40 authors across 1,500 years on three continents in multiple languages, the Bible is remarkably unified in its themes:
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells one consistent story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.
Central themes, such as the Messiah’s coming, unfold seamlessly, with the New Testament fulfilling Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 53, Psalm 22).
Preservation Across Millennia
While other ancient texts were lost or corrupted, the Bible’s integrity has been preserved against unparalleled odds. The meticulous copying practices of Jewish scribes and the early church’s recognition of inspired Scripture ensured its purity. Despite persecution, attempts at destruction, and cultural shifts, the Bible remains intact and transformative.
Supernatural Claims and Fulfillment
The Bible uniquely includes fulfilled prophecies, such as:
The detailed prediction of Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Psalm 16:10).
Historical events such as,
the fall of Babylon (Isaiah 13:19–22)
the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21:6)
No other ancient text exhibits the Bible’s historical reliability, manuscript evidence, and theological coherence. Its preservation and transformative power point unmistakably to the divine hand guiding its creation and transmission. The Bible’s uniqueness is not merely a testament to human effort but a reflection of God’s promise:
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
5. What It Means To Be A Follower of Christ
Being a Christian is far more than identifying with a religion or adopting a set of values. It is embracing the truths of Scripture, what God has specifically revealed about Himself and salvation, to mankind. The Bible is either all true or is all false. If God’s word is true then we must conform ourselves to it rather than attempting to conform it to our preferences.
Consider these essential biblical principles:
God Is Sovereign Creator
While modern thinking often attributes human existence to evolution, Scripture reveals we are the creation of a personal God, made to love, serve, and enjoy Him forever. The New Testament declares that Jesus Himself created all things (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16) and thus owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). As our Creator, He has full authority over our lives, deserving our complete allegiance, obedience, and worship.
“For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16,17)
God Is Holy
God’s holiness is perfect and absolute (Isaiah 6:3). He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). In turn, He requires holiness from us: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
In heaven, “Day and night [the angels (cherubim)] never stop, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come…the one who lives forever and ever…They [the 24 elders] cast their crowns before the throne and say, Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:8-11)
Mankind Is Sinful
Scripture affirms the universal sinfulness of humanity: “There is no man who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46). While humans may perform acts of kindness, we are incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own:
“...as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10–12)
Sin Demands a Penalty
God’s holiness and justice demand that sin be punished by death (Ezekiel 18:4). This means that merely altering our behavior cannot erase our sin or its consequences.
“Behold, every life belongs to me. The life of the father is like the life of the son—both belong to me. The person who sins is the one who will die.” (Ezekiel 18:4) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Jesus Is Lord and Savior
The New Testament emphasizes that Jesus, as Creator (Colossians 1:16), holds authority over all creation (Psalm 103:19). We owe Him our allegiance and obedience. As Romans 10:9 declares,
“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”
God’s justice demanded death for sin, but His love provided a Savior. Jesus’ death satisfied God’s justice (1 Peter 3:18), and His perfect life fulfilled God’s holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through faith in Christ, sinners can be forgiven and saved (Romans 3:26).
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) “...and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:20)
The Character of Saving Faith
Saving faith is always accompanied by repentance, which involves acknowledging your sin, confessing it to God, turning from it (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9),
“...unless you repent, you will all perish as well.” (Luke 13:3) and pursuing Christ (Matthew 11:28–30; John 17:3) in obedience (1 John 2:3). “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent — Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3)
Believing facts about Christ is insufficient; even demons believe in God.
“You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe — and they shudder.” (James 2:19)
True faith is demonstrated by obedience (Ephesians 2:10; 1 John 3:24; 2 John 6; 3 John 4).
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) “If you love me, you will keep my commands [teaching].” (John 14:15)
Believe!
Being a Christian means embracing these truths and living a life of faith, repentance, and obedience to Jesus Christ, the Sovereign Creator, holy God, and loving Savior:
Faith: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9–10)
Repentance: “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” (Acts 3:19)
Obedience to Christ: “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.” (1 John 2:3–6; c.f. Matthew 7:21)
Christ as Sovereign Creator: “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:3) “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Hebrews 1:3)
Christ as Holy God and Loving Savior: “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” (Colossians 2:9) “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8; c.f. John 3:16–17; 1 John 4:9–10)
The joy and wonder of Christmas, the call to live in faith, repentance, and obedience, and the race of endurance all point to one unshakable truth:
Christ is the foundation and sustainer of our lives, the founder and finisher of our salvation.
As we leave the Christmas season behind, let us not let its essential truths fade: From the incarnation to the cross, from the empty tomb to His ongoing reign, Jesus embodies the grace that empowers us to persevere and the hope that transforms every season.
As Christ’s vice regents and representatives of His kingdom, let us embody a life of worship, gratitude, and steadfastness, remembering the Blessed Hope that the same Savior who came in humility will come again in glory!
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all believers, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works. Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:11-15)
Run your race with endurance, relying on His persistent grace, fixing your eyes on Jesus, and pressing forward in faith, for in Him is fullness of joy and the strength to carry on.
Soli Deo Gloria!
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