What brings you Joy?
Getting in the car with friends and hot chocolate and driving around town looking at Christmas lights. Staying up super late waiting on my grandparents to pull into our driveway. Only listening to Christmas music from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Day. Baking Christmas goodies. Christmas Eve service with my family where I grew up. Then, after the service, having an appetizer dinner while watching everyone’s (well everyone except my mom’s) favorite movie, Christmas Vacation. These are just a few things, when I think about the Christmas season, that bring me joy.
Maybe you’re like me and thinking about Christmas traditions makes you smile. And maybe your Christmas traditions today look different than what they did as a kid. That is also true for me. Maybe the holiday season is hard and thinking about traditions is not something you like to do. I’ve been there and had those seasons too. But throughout every season I have experienced, and hopefully this is true for you too, there is always a constant thread of joy that I can pick up even in the smallest of things.
On the day Jesus was born, shepherds were keeping watch over their flock. An angel appeared to them and proclaimed to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. It will bring great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).
The birth of our Savior, the presence of our Lord, God with us, Emmanuel. This is what joy is. No matter what is happening around us or in our lives, we know the good news that God is with us, and in Him is where our joy is found.
— Alyssa Carter
Minister to Children
