JOY! It's my favorite Christmas word. Joy, joy, joy! I think of how many times the temptation to complain overcomes me. To criticize, to judge myself and others. It sneaks up on me at line in the check out when the cashier is moving too slow, at a restaurant when someone's child is misbehaving (like I've never been there before!!), when the repairman doesn't show up on time, when my hair doesn't look right. But it's not what God wants for me.
"Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11
In church yesterday our pastor reminded us that we "are the only Jesus most people are going to see today." How right he is! Peace, hope, love and joy....all of these gifts of the season, gifts of the Savior...what good are they if we don't use them? They are contagious you know! Believe me, I know how hard that can be many days. My weekend started with a near full blown fit and a text message to my sister in law that said, "I think I hate Christmas". Holiday parties at school, 175 trips to Target, Kevin delayed out of town, a dog at the vet, children that can't behave to save their lives. Blarg! I found myself pleading with God that everyone would leave me alone. You know, so I could enjoy all the peace, love, hope and joy of the season without distraction. But God replied, that's not the point. He didn't send His son that we might live in a magical utopian bubble, immune to all the evil around us. He sent His son that we might live in spite of all the evil around us. To submit to anything else....well, again. That's not what God wants for me.
Our God is a God of great joy! We can't wait for the people and circumstances in our life to allow us to live happily. Christ came that we might have life, eternal life, and know the joy of His salvation. Let no one or no thing rob you of that.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
XOXO....Kelly
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