January can be tough.
Especially in comparison to December.
December is full of light and giving and gathering.
January is barren and cold (where I live) and a bit bleak.
I am trying this year, however, to remember.
Remember that it is Jesus who is the joy of December–He is the light and the influence behind the giving and the gathering.
And He is also the joy of January.
So while it looks a bit different, the goodness that is at the essence of December is still there.
The difference is in me.
Moses saw and experienced the glory of God-marvel and wonder! (see Moses 1)
And then he was left to himself, contemplated his smallness and was faced with Satan’s attempts to confuse and mislead him.
In his remembering, however, he could discern the differences between Satan and Jehovah.
No glory, just darkness.
No enlightenment, just the sowing of confusion and doubt.
Remembrance led to understanding, which led to faith building, which led to even greater knowledge and power-in further experiences with the Almighty.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and what He came to give for a short time at the end of the year, and the world rejoices for a time.
But He desires to give us hope and purpose and light at all times.
As we then remember the light and joy of December, and the source of those glorious things, we, too, can continue to bask in the glow and live in the wonder of the Giver of all good things.
Giving as He did, seeing by the light of His love, rejoicing in His power to save, gathering in unity.
In all the Januarys of our lives.
And in moving forward, sometimes only with the remembrance of the sublime experience we once had, we prove our faith and shape our desires.
Inviting all of His goodness to be with us and to continue guiding and lifting us.
He will be there.
So the celebration, the awe, the glory do not have to end.
His gifts are everlasting, so the feelings and the glory of December do not ever really go away.
As we remember.
