Calm After the Storm

The shopping is over. The cooking is almost done. The presents are opened. The children have no more expectations, all has been revealed. I'm sitting in my recliner blogging thanks to a new wireless internet connection (following HOURS on the phone with tech support yesterday). The tree looks rather forlorn without the brightly wrapped boxes gracing its lower branches. Outside the sky is overcast as a cold wind blows the remaining leaves from the maple tree just outside the window. I keep peering into the drizzle and sleet to see if I might detect a snowflake. We do not expect a white Christmas on the Gulf Coast ... even though today's weather is not far from it. If the temperature just went down a few degrees ... but it's on the way up. Aside from finding a new place for the gifts ... it's a calm day today ... the past week has been a rush of getting ready ... fighting the crowds and traffic ... searching out the sales ... making sure that all of the bases are covered ... and now Christmas day has come to my house. My teenage son is stretched out on the couch asleep... just where he has been ever since he was through opening presents. My granddaughter is playing with her new toys and watching her new movie. In a few moments we will eat the extravagant feast Maggy has prepared. 2005 is only a few days away. A new year when we will begin again to live the life set out before us. We will look back with a certain degree of envy at this day of calmness and celebration ... and look forward to another celebration in twelve short months, should the Lord delay his return. No doubt next year will be like every year and will bring its laughter, tears, joy, sorrow, successes, and failures ... in ways we cannot now know. There will be losses and heartaches. We will question our place in the world and our purpose in God's family. At times we will feel like outcasts in a world furiously hurling itself to hell. And as we reflect on those things, we will conclude that out here, hope remains.