I remember the days of old. I ponder all Your great works and think about what You have done. I lift my hands to You in prayer. I thirst for You as parched land thirsts for rain. - Psalm 143:5-6 (NLT)

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Christmas is nostalgic. Everyone feels it, but it can be difficult to express. Now, you probably haven’t used this word since your 5th-grade spelling test, so I’ll give you the definition.

Nostalgia is a sentimental longing or affection for the past, typically for a place with happy personal memories.

Christmas has the ability to bring us back in time unlike any other time of the year. Whether it’s walking through grandma and grandpa’s small town and seeing the little shops decorated in lights or smelling sugar cookies baking in the oven with a crackling fire in the fireplace, there are certain elements of the Christmas season that strike a chord with past emotions.

Nostalgia isn’t necessarily good or bad, but it is important to consider the potential effect it can have on you. The Bible is clear that when it comes to dealing with the past, it’s important to find a balance. The truth is you can wreck your life by neglecting the past but living exclusively in the past can cause you to disregard the joys of life today.

It’s all about finding that balance between appreciation for what was and hopeful anticipation for what is to come.

So today, I’m asking you to spend 60 seconds thinking about a person who had a significant impact on your Christmas experience growing up. Write their name down and spend time thanking God for their presence in your life. Then, spend 60 seconds thinking about a person that you could positively impact this Christmas season and commit to praying for them over the next four days. Write their name down too and put both names where you can see them. Over the coming days, pray that God begins to create a healthy balance within you of admiring the past and hoping for the future.