Here we are gathered together a few days after Christmas. How did you celebrate the birthday of Jesus? How did everything go for you? For most folks, some empty spaces remain. Just like our pews this morning, where there are empty spaces that were filled on Christmas Eve, there may be post-Christmas empty spaces in our hearts. For most of us, Christmas preparations and celebrations rarely meet expectations. Not everything goes smoothly. Not every gathering is joyful. Not every program and worship service is as spiritually uplifting as we would have desired. Not every gift was given with grace-filled love. Not every gift was received with festive thanksgiving. Exchange desks in malls and department stores are in a frenzy of activity on December 26, perhaps their busiest day of the entire ye…