(Written last night)

It is New Year’s Eve and having partied enough during the holidays, I am looking forward to Winter’s quiet, particularly since we have several inches of snow coming in tonight. I am craving the solitude of these days as I realign my soul before the beginning of 2026.

 Meanwhile, I am staying busy by putting up Christmas gifts. All the thoughtfulness that went into selecting each gift meant so much to me. As I look at each one, I am thankful for each giver. I am sure that as the old year finishes, many of us will be thinking of what to do with our gifts.

Some will be pressed into service right away; some may be used in a week or two and some may never be used at all. The ones most used or needed will be front and center where we can see them right away. Some will be put to the side, and some will be put in the closet at the back where we might not see them for a couple of years. Some will sadly be returned to the store in favor of something we wanted more.

 Thinking of this begs the question that is central to the focus of true Christmas: if Jesus is the greatest Gift of all given to humanity, what will we do with Him this year? Will He be front and center, with our daily focus, put to the side and thought of later or even put in the back of the closet and never thought about all as we resume our busy lives?