Today is January 1, 2025. It’s a new year, and with that, comes excitement and anticipation for what’s to come. Some are leaving behind the best year of their lives, while others are leaving behind a year they would almost rather forget. No matter what we leave behind, we are all headed into a new season.

Today, as I took down Christmas decorations, I was filled with a feeling of sadness – sadness that “Christmas is over,” as my husband stated while taking apart the Christmas tree. I felt sadness that my two-year-old would wake up from his nap, and all the decorations and lights that he loves would be gone. I felt sadness as I removed the memorial ornaments for our angel baby and placed them in their protective boxes, not to be seen again until the next Christmas season.

This led me to think about the sadness that Christ’s family, friends, and followers must have felt when He was crucified. When we have that feeling that “Christmas is over,” we can look forward to it coming back around again. Jesus’ followers had been told that He would return, but I imagine they went through a very intense period of feeling like it was all over. I imagine they were filled with an overwhelming feeling of mourning, loss, and sadness.

But, praise God, the story doesn’t end there!

Three days later, Christ was risen from the dead! With His resurrection comes our ability to be saved and reconciled with our heavenly Father. His resurrection brings us joy and hope!

So today, if you are experiencing a little sadness that the Christmas season is over, that’s okay. Just remember that our stories are not done yet, and there is much joy and hope to be experienced as we enter into this next season.

Happy New Year to you. May God bless you in the days to come!