Christmas JOYS

            I love all things Christmas!!! The season brings joy everywhere I turn (except in the long lines and parking lot). I love watching all the old Christmas shows. Last night we watched Rudolph, my favorite one of all. I remember when the abominable snowman used to scare me; and I have always felt bad for Rudolph and Hermie the elf/ dentist. Charlie Brown is also a favorite of mine. I can even dance like one of the kids in the pageant. Tonight another favorite of mine is on, Frosty the Snowman. My boys will be out at a football game so I will have to record it to watch this weekend.  My favorite, more contemporary Christmas show is Elf. I love Buddy the elf’s child-like excitement and honesty. I love the way he pours maple syrup on everything and the way he runs through the rotating department store doors.  This may sound strange, but I still get excited when I see Santa.  I love seeing the lights on all the houses, having the scent of a pine tree in my home, getting out all of our favorite decorations, the yummy treats that fill our tummies, listening to Christmas carols and dancing around the house. I love the pretty packages under the tree. There is an amazing sense of wonder that comes with the Christmas season.

            Years ago my grandparents would open a seasonal a Christmas store. It was named “Christmas JOYS”. MY grandma told me that it stood for Jesus, Others, Your Self. That is the true Spirit of Christmas and our priorities of the season should be in that order. One year I had the blessing of working in the store with my grandparents. It was so fun to be surrounded by Christmas at work each day and working alongside two of the most important people to me. They lead me to Jesus when I was about 12 years old.  The love of Christmas runs in my family.

         Of course, my favorite part of Christmas is Jesus. For, He is the true meaning of Christmas.

           When I was in third grade I was the narrator in the church Christmas play. I was given the privilege of reading one of the best passages in all of scripture, the one proclaiming Jesus’ birth.

Jesus’ Birth

Luke 2:1-21, ¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to his own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ  the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

   Every time I read or hear this passage read it brings tears of joy and gratitude to my eyes. This joy is a gift that is available “to all the people”.

Knowing that God loves me (and you) so much that He sent His Son to be our Savior fills my heart with a joy that lasts all year long!

Celebrate the CHRIST in Christmas, now and all year long!