Finding Joy in Our Love
By Kathy Pefley
Everyone knows that the Christmas season is supposed to be joyful. Decorations, lights, great food, gift giving (and receiving), anticipating the looks on children’s faces as they greet Santa at the mall … all these things are supposed to contribute to an overwhelming sense of joy during these very busy days leading up to the grand finale of Christmas morning. But for many of us, what we feel is an overwhelming sense of overcommitment, overspending, unmet expectations, and looming stress of not enough time, not enough money, and surely - not enough joy.
Let us remind ourselves (sometimes many times a day) not to confuse joy with pleasure, happiness, or success (whatever that means to you). If we seek a quiet moment and turn our focus inward toward the Holy Spirit inside us, we may feel a quiet murmur of anticipation that has nothing to do with the outward trappings of the holiday season, and everything to do with the glad tiding of great joy - for Behold unto us is born this day a Savior which is Christ the Lord! And He does not look for how beautifully we decorate our homes or how lavish the gifts are that we purchase or make for our loved ones. He would rather rejoice in how we have prepared a place for him in our hearts when there was no room for him at the inn for his birth. And He is more pleased with our gifts of prayer, time, and effort toward loving our neighbors.
Lots of times I feel like I have failed to give my children and grandchildren the Christmas memories I have from my past of cookie baking, sledding, and perfect Christmas celebrations. Then I remember that the littles in my life know that Papa’s big ask at Christmas is for the family to attend Christmas Eve services together. Let them enjoy and build memories of other Christmas traditions with other extended family (the other Grandma is way more put together when it comes to holiday stuff). I will try to demonstrate that we need to find joy in the love we have for each other, and the love we show those who may be unloved by others in the world, and most importantly by the love God showed by sending his son as a little baby to grow up to die for us - who were powerless in our sin.
Father God, prepare our hearts to receive the gift of your son Jesus freshly this Christmas. Let us feel your joy of new birth, and hope for the future. Use us to spread your joy to a hurting, fearful world. Amen.
St. John member Kathy Pefley sings in the worship band and is a Biblemania leader.