And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Lk 1:46-55

Yesterday, my little granddaughter, Charis, said she wanted Christmas to be another day like today. I explained to her that Christmas comes once a year like her birthday. She understood but did not like my answer. It’s always a little sad, isn’t it when Christmas is over. The decorations will come down and be put away in boxes for the next 11 months. It’s like we experience this feel-good high that crashes to the ground on December 26th.

Unfortunately, that’s the way many live the spiritual life, just waiting for the next big event so they can get their feel-good fix. But Mary’s first Christmas was anything but feel-good. She and Joseph had traveled a great distance and then could not find a clean room but settled for a stable filled with animals. And there she gave birth. No heater to keep she and her child warm just the clothes on her back and the swaddling clothes she had brought with her. And yet, Mary sang and praised God for the same reasons that we ought to be singing every day of the year: She sang because of her salvation. Mary knew the challenges that were on the horizon and was getting ready to face some severe scrutiny for turning up pregnant and unwed! And never mind the anguish she was going to cause her family, who would be forced to disown her or face the same rejection.

True praise isn’t grounded in your circumstances. So as you unwind from Christmas this year, don’t just settle back into business as usual. Take something special from this Christmas like a better appreciation of who Christ is and what he did. Because while you celebrated the birth of Christ on December 25th, you should experience the life of Christ every day as he lives through you.

The Christian life shouldn't be based on feel-good events but on your daily relationship with Christ.