Wildflower Writes

Christmas eve... gifts are wrapped (mostly). Treats have been made and sampled. THE gift is put together and ready to play with... I'm ready for Christmas As corny as it sounds, I think the secret of finding joy in the holidays is to see things through a child's eyes. It's not all about the gifts... not really. It's about the excitement, the lights, the visiting with family... even if they can't comprehend everything that Jesus means to the world, they can celebrate the birth of a special baby. My kids have floored me with their generosity this year. Of course we encourage the attribute, but let's face it..generally speaking, kids tend to be selfish- "what's in it for me?" My kids not only purchased gifts for immediate family members, but are making gifts for others, and giving things that they no longer use. And it was all their idea! As Toby Mac says in his song, Christmas this Year , "it's like I'm ten years old again and ever...

I have what you might call a "melancholy" personality. I don't see myself as a pessimist however, more like a realist. So, I was contemplating "realistically" the headaches of the holidays- I don't care much about decorating, or baking, or cards, or shopping. I get disgusted with the commercialism and secularization of the holiday. But as I was doing my devotions one morning, I came across the familiar passage (Luke 2:10) where the angel says, "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people..." Jesus came to Earth, to bring great joy. Not a little bit of joy, but a heavenful amount of joy. And not just for the spiritual, or the wealthy, or the beautiful, or the smart. For ALL people. Even me. Even when I don't feel particularly special, or motivated, or happy. Jesus came to Earth to bring great JOY, in the promise of freedom from sin, and a relationship with a heavenly Father. So I'm setting out on a journey to find jo...