A DIFFERENT SORT OF CHRISTMAS

Our lives changed so much this year. I am sure you are as surprised as I am to still
be amid perpetual change. Unwanted change. Do not mess with our Christmas!!!
Are you with me?
The truth is we have a profound opportunity this year to press into the very essence
of this sacred holiday. Holy Days, that command our notice, not of just our
traditions. Traditions are warm and wonderful. Joining with our family and
expressing our love over a table of joy. I am not knocking on traditions.
What I am saying is there is so much more to behold.
“BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SON OF THE WORLD.” John
1:29
Compare if you will the scriptures of the birth of Christ to your holiday traditions.
It hits me right in the pit of my stomach. The raw emotion of what was THE first
day of Christ’s life. His birthday, that we honor and celebrate what we call
Christmas. I fall so short.
Focused on gifts, wrapping essentials, and food. And the questions of self-doubt
and ridicule….Can everyone come? Did I do enough? The thoughts go on and on.
The prep and observance of Christmas starts sometimes Thanksgiving Day with
shopping and lasts until the New Year. A fact that could be impressive IF it were
focused on sacred truths.
Can you imagine if we spent that same amount of time reading the Gospel
story of the coming birth of Jesus? What if we spent our money on charity or
donations? Giving to those who have nothing. What if we spent our planning time
preparing our hearts for His arrival? At the end of the Holy season can you
even comprehend the change that would be apparent in us?
Guess what? Here is your chance. The state of our world under quarantine or not,
a declared president or not, and a host of other issues has no barring on whether
you can spend your time and focus on what matters more than all else. Our
relationship with Christ compares to nothing or no one else. Do this year what can never be taken from you-BEHOLD THE LAMB.

JOY TO THE WORLD

A grateful person is one of pure joy. Joy finds a way to rise to the surface even in
the darkest of hours. In every moment of every challenge, there has always been
something to spark gratitude. Until you have lived a tragedy, you might have
never known joy.
It is the hardships in life that we can now hold up to smaller inconveniences and
realize they are just that. “The Joy of the Lord is our strength.” Psalms 28:7. This
verse has perplexed me for how can joy, a feeling of happiness provide strength?
A tour through the scriptures will help us realize it is much more.
Joy according to scmonitor.com is a “fuller, spiritual meaning of expressing God’s
goodness.… Deep-rooted, inspired happiness.” Happiness is fleeting, here-today
and-gone-tomorrow feeling. Joy is stability in the goodness of God
James 1:2, “My brethren, count it all joy, when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
How can one find joy in difficulty?
Consider this, you have just learned that you must go through a physically painful
transformation of almost a year. You will not be yourself. You will have trouble
sleeping, eating, and being unable to enjoy other comforts in life. You will certainly
gain weight during this time and your body will never be the same because this
challenge has lasting effects. It might be the hardest and most painful experience
you will ever feel. Would you feel happy? NO. What if you realized it is a
pregnancy? That is an entirely different situation. The joy of a child considering
what you will go through will be worth it.
That is the essence of joy. You will earn the joy for it is deep-rooted in hardship.
The pain will have a purpose. Seek joy always!