Some people have a difficult time dealing with the aftermath of Christmas. Many experience a letdown of sorts, or even a certain measure of depression, after the holiday season has passed. How should we deal with this? What do we do after Christmas? Let’s look at the Scripture to see what the participants in the first Christmas did.

The Magi went back to their normal lives. The Bible says that “…they returned to their country.” (Matt.2:12). They had the experience of a lifetime when they found the Christ child. They were overjoyed to be able to worship him (Matt.2:10-11). But you can’t stay frozen forever in those magical moments. You have to get back to everyday life. Hopefully you had some great moments this Christmas season. But now it’s over and time to get back to work, back to school, back to your daily life.

Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod and protect their precious son. This reminds us that there is still evil in the world, and we must do whatever we can to avoid it and to protect the ones we love from the devil, a roaring lion who is prowling around seeking whom he may destroy (1 Pet.5:8). The devil opposes Jesus and all who believe in him. We must be aware of his schemes and trust in God to keep us safe from his clutches. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

We should also take note that Joseph and Mary’s journey to Egypt was made possible by the generous gifts of the Magi. In the aftermath of Christmas, let us be certain that God will use our monetary contributions to further the work of his kingdom.

Joseph and Mary could have become bitter towards Herod for threatening their son and turning their lives upside down. But instead, they chose to be inspired by their son and continued to live righteous lives. Sometimes people disappoint us greatly, but our focus should not be on how we have been mistreated, but on how God has treated us so mercifully by sending his son Jesus to save us!

And what about the shepherds? What did they do after Christmas? “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:20). After the sounds of the Christmas music have died down, we must continue to worship God, glorifying and praising him for all that we have experienced in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!