Tuesday, December 26, Isaiah 9:6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

What’s today? The second day of Christmas. (Ten more to go!) The feast day of St. Stephen. (Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen…) My cousin’s birthday. Boxing Day.

For many, it is a quieter day than the previous few. I like so much to celebrate twelve days of Christmas. I remember a wise and unusual friend, who lived alone, and would spread out the opening of his gifts over a week or two. He might not even get around to opening one on December 25th! I don’t do this, but I do like to stay in the joys and wonder of the Jesus birth stories. I like to keep the decorations up until January 6th. I like the freedom from all that advertizing and shopping that happened in the six weeks before. Now, I can spend quality time with beloved people, and with puzzles and crosswords and board games.

So, try it out. Spend twelve days with some time to ponder the Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. He’s a newborn. He’s two thousand twenty-eight years old. He’s more ancient than the known universe.

PRAYER: Abba God, Your Child is one of us. Thanks be! Praise be! And in His fragile weakness is a great strength, a beautiful healing, a welcoming kingdom. Now, as years end and begin, may there be some serenity for us all. Amen.

- Jeff G. White