Comfort and Joy

God rest ye, merry gentlemen.

God rest ye, merry gentlemen, the gifts are put away. The shopping, the wrapping, the quick-calculating - "I spent this on her, now this gift plus this gift is this much, but if get this for his stocking. . ."  - all can cease for another year. The presents, perfect and flawed, are opened, and proper thanks have been delivered. The pressure of surprise, of risk, of heart-felt offerings is released in once giant, collective post-Christmas sigh.

God rest ye, merry gentlemen, the feasting has subsided. The meals, immaculately prepared, carefully planned, dutifully designed, have been served. The family has been fed, several times. We have all eaten, and eaten well, heavy from another bite, another handful, another slice, another piece. Heavy from the guilty pleasure of day after day of exercise-free dining. Breathe deeply; the next meal can be popcorn, or cereal, or frozen pizza, or even leftovers, eaten on every day dishes on couches with no candlelight or festive napkins.

God rest ye, merry gentlemen, the events have dwindled down. The parties, the meetings, the concerts, the dinner parties, they disappear from the calendar. The have been given due attention, provided ample joy and laughter and catching up. There are now fewer places to be and no hurry to get there. There are jobs to be done, but not with the pre-holiday demands, not the same deadline urgency. Whatever your schedule speaks, it gently and soothingly reminds rather than declares and announces.

For a bit, rest. The demands on your time, your attention, your money, and your love have been met. New stress will arrive, but not yet. Not until a deep breath. A days long one.

Perhaps most importantly, though, God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day. Rest deeply in that. The battle has been won. Whatever new stress comes up, whatever new demands arise, whatever new pain and joy and laughter and relationships and work requires your energies, you can still rest well in the confidence of eternity conquered. The Grand Plan has saved you from all temporary fatigue in favor of everlasting comfort and joy.

"Fear not," then said the Angel. "Let nothing you affright. This day is born a Savior." Fear not. Rest. All is well. Endure and enjoy, in comfort and joy.