Many people are glad that the mad scramble to get ready for Christmas is over. Many were so busy they forgot what Christmas is all about. Most people don’t realize that Christmas isn’t over, it actual runs for twelve days from Dec 25th to Jan 5th (few people think about the words in the song-“Twelve days of Christmas”). This time is called Christmastide. Now that the commercial Christmas is over, we can relax and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas occurs on the shortest day of the year to remind us that when things were darkest and it seemed there was no hope, God came down to us in the form of a baby and dwelt among us. God revealed Himself to His people and He is with us. His presence changed the world forever. He isn’t someone up there in heaven, who is unreachable. He cared enough to come to us in our time of greatest need and is still here when we need Him. However, He didn’t just come to share a meal or something, He came to show us a new way to live. Our ways are selfish and filled with conflict but He came to show us a way to live in peace with one another and help one another. As we start the new year, let us commit ourselves to learning more about how He wants us to live and seek to grow in faith and seek to walk in the way He set before us.