By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist 

In the last several days, I’ve heard folks say they are glad Christmas is over. No more Christmas trees, twinkling lights, candles, Santas on the roof, snowmen, roof icicles, parties, frantic shopping, extra cooking and many other responsibilities to both community and church.

Yes, it has been hectic but as we get older perhaps we need to turn “all this” around in our heads and on our agenda.

Christmas plays, choir robes, angel costumes, shepherds robes, “Jesus sandals,” wise men, caroling to the nursing home and Christmas Eve Communion will always be bright and wonderful moments from my children’s childhood.

Now I have five grandchildren to absorb during this wonderful Advent season. Ranging in age from 5-16, our grandbabies keep us delighted, amazed, tickled and inspired. From their mouths come some sayings I hope to never forget.

We were recently told that we are not “old as dirt” yet, just plain old. Prayers by all kids are precious but when a 6-year-old asks for God to care for the whole world and says “Thank you Jesus for all you give us,” that makes my heart beat a bit faster.

So, where am I going with all this rambling? Christmas is not an ending. It is God’s beginning for us. The gift of our savior more than 2,000 years ago is the most special gift in the whole world. Because of this event, we have new life. It began with a birth and continues to the end of time.

What we do with our years is so important. Worldly success, wealth and “keeping up with the Jones” does not bring happiness or health in the long run.

Gods love should be extended through our actions. Practice love and forgiveness as God has forgiven us. Make the holy birth not just a yearly event, but a truly new beginning to carry us into the new year.

Happy new year to you all, and may you have a most blessed and prosperous year to come.