Light Shines Still

While my Christmas decorations are still adorning our home, and we’re still nibbing on the last of the holiday treats, it’s official… the holidays are officially over. For those who are Jewish, all the lights on the menorah have burned. For those who celebrate Kwanzaa, the candles on the kinara have been extinguished.

And for those in my tradition, we have anticipated the Christ Child, celebrated the Christ Child and tucked the nativity safely away until next year.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 64% of people report being affected by

holiday depression, and while the research is young, a significant number of people report

experiencing post-holiday blues. This is also known as “post-vacation syndrome,” and is

experienced after an extended period of being out of one’s routine and experiencing an

adrenaline high. The comedown can be harsh.

Of course it helps to get plenty of sleep, exercise and eat healthy (aren’t we so tired of the self-

care spiel?), but there’s a more ertheal assist at our ready. January 6 th was Epiphany—the

celebration of the great star in the east that led the magi to the Christ Child. Epiphany is our

reminder that God’s Light shines in the darkness, our darkness, and cannot be overcome.

Even still, the light shines.

Face upward that it may shine on you, my friends.