I am careful about how I share things, and according to the Ligonier copyright statement, I can share their articles as long as they are not for money-making efforts. Still, I think it is easier to share the link to the article and let you read it on their site instead of here.

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/key-christians-joy

Sometimes, the words of others are refreshing as well as informative.

Christmas Day draws nearer. In this last full week before Christmas, we look at Joy. The article above speaks of how to have joy in difficult times. But I was thinking about the joy of the season in traditions.

Christmas was fun as a child. In my memories, although my siblings may remember some of the details differently. There was lots of snow. And making cookies and decorating them. And making ornaments for the tree. Singing Christmas carols. Intently studying the Sears Wish Book. Playing out in the snow, building forts, sledding, and then coming inside to a pot of hot cocoa on the stove. Mom removed our gloves and put them over the registers to dry out. Because we would be going outside again.

Joy. A choice.

We carry some of those childhood traditions forward. For me, although I rarely decorate a lot, I always cook. Until recently, when cooking has become more difficult, there would be cookies, candy, and loaves of bread. Where I used to live, people would stop me in the hallway and tell me they could tell I was baking, and was I sharing, too? They only asked because they knew the answer: that soon I’d either be at their door with goodies or they’d find some outside their door. That was Christmas. Sharing what gave you joy.

Not every Christmas has been fun. I know myself well enough to know I choose to remember things fun for me and let the rest fade into that massive file of memories our brains can retain. Still, acknowledging that those non-fun times existed reminds me that life is not a game, that living combines all our experiences, and we learn so much from those experiences. And, when we surrender to God, we truly see His hand working amid all situations of our lives through His Love and Joy in us.