The week between Christmas and New Years day was always a magic one, probably because the decorations were still in place and the time was drained of its pre Christmas frenzy. For children, that week was a vacation from school, and in the North it usually meant snow and new sleds. In the South there were new skateboards and bikes. It was a week lifted out of ordinary time into a different realm. There were new clothes, new toys to enjoy and a general feeling of well-being.

The Lord will put a blessing on your barns and on everything your put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land He is giving you.(Deuteronomy28:8)

One of my first attractions to scripture was the sweetness of the blessings that God promised to His people. All I could think was, “How well He must know us to make the promises that He did,” It was easy to translate “the “land” to “the relationship,” and I couldn’t deny that the promises were and (are) alluring. He speaks of blessings He will freely deliver, like peace and plenty, and simple joy: I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. (Deuteronomy17:14-15)

My father used to stand at the window and watch the rain with a smile on his face while I whined that I couldn’t go outside because of the rain. “This is a good rain,” he said, “this is good for the farmers. It will make them happy and you’ll be happy to eat their corn and potatoes.”

When God blesses, it’s as if he is yearning for the opportunity to bless, as if His abundance is so great that He overflows with desire to give, even though he knows that His people are whining and misunderstanding His presence in their lives. The week between Christmas and New Years day is a release from the stresses of the holiday and a receiving of the blessings it conveyed. At last the promised Christ was in the flesh and and in the arms of Mary. All the promises converge when the baby is born and looks just like us. The human and divine infant is proof of God’s intention to “satisfy” His people. The angels themselves promise On earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. (Luke 2:14)The peace is real, even if we don’t find it in the week betweenChristmas and NewYears day. God’s promises are for us and forever.

Love in Him,

Prue