A letdown sometimes follows a time of anticipation. In December, everyone looks forward to Christmas morning with great excitement. But once Christmas has come and gone, the mood often changes. Gifts need to be returned, the tree disposed of, decorations stored, and credit card bills sorted out. It may have even been a Christmas that didn’t turn out the way we had hoped at all.

Although the scene of the two men on the road to Emmaus occurred after the resurrection, the attitude they expressed resonates with my thoughts today. They had hoped that “Jesus of Nazareth” was “The One.” Two thousand years ago, many people said they were looking for the Messiah’s birth, but when He came, they didn’t see Him because He did not come as they expected.

I wonder how often we miss the beauty of Christ because He doesn’t fit our preconceived ideas. Christmas is about much more than the commercialized day it has become. Toys, gifts, and trips will fade over time, but God’s gift to humanity will last throughout eternity. If we focus on Him, Christmas will be great regardless of what’s going on around us. He’s here, He’s walking beside us, and He will never forsake us. Happy day after Christmas.