Choosing Joy Rather Than Grieving Loss

With the loss of loved ones this year, and in the past, my heart can become heavy as I reflect on what is different this Christmas. I am sure many of you can relate.

However, this Christmas I wanted to choose to not grieve in a way that robs me of all the joyful memories that warm my heart.

To do so I have chosen to focus on “what is” rather than “what is not” for a few days.

What is something I can be thankful for regardless of the difficult year of 2020?

• I have memories that no one nor anything can take from me.
• I have an opportunity to make the most out of my circumstances.
• I have a heart that loves others deeper because we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
• I have hope because of my Savior.
• I have the glorious opportunity to share this hope with you and others.

Jesus is the reason you and I have hope for our today, tomorrow, and eternal future.

The Christmas story that is often read from Luke 2 has helped me refocus on what December 25th is really all about. Don’t get me wrong, I love family gathers and presents under the tree but remembering why we have the memories we have is all because of Him. Our Savior.

The following is the Christmas story about Jesus’ birth and I thought it would be nice to share it with you in hopes to help you refocus on “what is” and experience a joyful heart this day.

Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

2 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. ² This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. ⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, ⁵ in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. ⁶ While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; ¹¹ for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁵ When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND!