Holiday reflections - Joy to the Soul

30 Dec

Goodbye 2021. It was so nice to see you.

Joy

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A recent visit with a friend caused me to reflect on this year. Updates about our lives were overdue. From home improvement projects to career plans, there was no shortage of subjects to cover. But our friendship bond felt fragile and unfamiliar. It lacked the sense of warmth we’d always...

13 Dec

The Joy of Christmas: Day 7, Believe

Joy

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7 Ways to Focus on the Joy of Christmas

At Christmas, I love getting greetings in the mail from family and friends. One card began with familiar words. “Peace on earth and goodwill toward men” was scrolled in metallic gold across a midnight sky. The beauty of the image is a bold statement. God’s grace is a sharp contrast...

10 Dec

The Joy of Christmas, Day 6: Gather

Joy

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7 Ways to Focus on the Joy of Christmas

Be it formal or casual, a Christmas gathering carries a sacred sentiment. Singing songs to celebrate Christ’s birth brings a worshipful cheer. Decorations add visual flair, while our unique culture and traditions add new memories to our stories. But if we miss something or someone we love, gathering may be a...

08 Dec

The Joy of Christmas: Day 5, Anticipate

Joy

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7 Ways to Focus on the Joy of Christmas, Guest Writers

I love the twinkle in the eyes of our kids when we bring out the Christmas tree and decorations. It’s as if, as soon as the Christmas lights turn on, Christmas time has truly begun. For us, it’s holiday baking, gingerbread house making and all the hot chocolate with marshmallows...

06 Dec

The Joy of Christmas, Day 4: Give

Joy

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7 Ways to Focus on the Joy of Christmas, Guest Writers

One of my favorite activities during the holidays is to shop on Black Friday. After eating Thanksgiving dinner, all of the women in my family open the newspapers to extract and sift through the sales circulars. We search for the best deals on the items we want to purchase for...

03 Dec

The Joy of Christmas, Day 3: Adorn

Joy

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7 Ways to Focus on the Joy of Christmas

As a child, looking at Christmas decorations brought me instant bliss. The bright colors and shining lights were happy reflections of the holiday season. But from ornaments to candles, one word stood out to me: JOY. Sure, it is what my parents named me. But I grew to know Christmas...

01 Dec

The Joy of Christmas, Day 2: Receive

Joy

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7 Ways to Focus on the Joy of Christmas, Guest Writers

It wasn’t even mid-October, and there it was displayed among the homes with pumpkins and other fall-themed decorations. A nativity scene beautifully adorned the yard of a house we pass every morning. Now I’ll admit, I chuckled and thought to myself, “They decorated a little early for Christmas.” However, my...

29 Nov

The Joy of Christmas, Day 1: Reflect

Joy

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7 Ways to Focus on the Joy of Christmas

As we reflect on the first Christmas, shepherds are not usually the first image that comes to mind. We may think of them as figures in the background as baby Jesus makes his entrance. But in Luke 2, we meet the shepherds watching their flocks at night — until they...

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Tag: Holiday reflections

Goodbye 2021. It was so nice to see you.

The Joy of Christmas: Day 7, Believe

The Joy of Christmas, Day 6: Gather

The Joy of Christmas: Day 5, Anticipate

The Joy of Christmas, Day 4: Give

The Joy of Christmas, Day 3: Adorn

The Joy of Christmas, Day 2: Receive

The Joy of Christmas, Day 1: Reflect

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