When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. — Luke 2:39-40

Mary and Joseph had been busy. Not only do they comply with the empirical mandate by traveling many miles to participate in a census, but they also had to search for accommodations after learning all the hotels in town had no vacancy, then attempt to get settled and comfortable in a smelly barn, and — oh yeah — Mary gave birth to the Messiah. 

The text says they finished everything required by the law and returned home. Phew. No mention of exhaustion, no mention of a baby keeping his parents up all night, no indication of postpartum depression, no weariness or stress over all that they had seen or heard around this miraculous birth. Come on, holy family, you’re setting a pretty high bar here. 

I write this article in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The recycle bins overflow with paper and cardboard. The tree is drying out and needs to come down. Trips to the store are needed to make returns. For many folks, it’s still a time of vacation. Our routines are out of whack — is it Tuesday or Thursday? Others must get back to the grind with no time to recuperate from the holiday festivities. 

With all of that, has the true blessing of the arrival Emmanuel, God With Us sunk in? Will the Good News actually let our hearts be transformed before we move on to the next appointment, mandate or responsibility? Do we realize God is indeed in the midst of the busy-ness and chaotic mess of this world? 

Doing ‘everything required by the law’ addressed specifically Mary and Joseph carrying out the traditions of the temple for their newborn son. But more broadly, it affirms their faithfulness in their role of caring for, and bringing to light, what the true meaning of their son would mean to the world. Being faithful, obedient and discerning in the ways God has called them and is at work through them. 

Whether it’s exhaustion, stress, depression, or worry about what comes next; whatever your post-Christmas haze might bring to you, be faithful in carrying the spirit of Christmas forward into each new day and into this new year. 

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group.  Todd Hackman is senior pastor at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Monroe.