It’s the day after Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature is stirring, 'cept this little mouse. My husband is sleeping (it’s way past ten), and my bird is singing to me in our den. I look all around me, and what do I see, but boxes and clothes where there should be a tree. I think to myself “I’m glad Christmas is gone,” now it’s time to get back to what should’ve been done. Suddenly I realize deceit has crept in, yes, it seems the deceiver has won again! The tinsel and glitter distracted us from, the One we really should be thinking on. The world thinks it’s wrong we can’t say Merry Christmas, but guess what, if we couldn’t He’d still be within us. And perhaps even more if we’d just go within, and not let the season distract us from Him!

Everyone's getting upset at the thought of not being able to say “Merry Christmas” but it’s the season that actually steals our time away from God, not laws of men. How many of us actually decided to spend one day of the season with Jesus? I found it hard to steal away just one hour of private time.

Isn't it ironic that this time of the year when we celebrate the birth of Christ is actually the time of year we’re not focused on Him? Christmas is over now, so let's focus on Jesus instead of our problems, so we can prosper and be in good health! If it ever got to the point that we couldn’t give gifts or celebrate Christmas as we usually do, it might work out for good ‘cause we’d all stay home and just praise Him! That’s what He wants!

What did you give Jesus for His birthday? We can give Him gifts. He said “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40

He is alive, and hears every word we speak to Him in our hearts. You could give Him yourself with a commitment to follow Him and help others.

Jesus said ““Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20

Jesus said “1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10:1-18