Tag Archives: Joy

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Cultivating Christmas Joy: 5 Tips for Keeping the Spirit Alive Year-Round

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As the festive lights dim and the ornaments are packed away, many of us find ourselves yearning to carry the joy of Christmas into the coming months. Fortunately, the spirit of Christmas is not bound to a single season but can be nurtured and sustained throughout the entire year. Here are five simple suggestions to help you keep the joy of Christmas alive in your heart, no matter the date on the calendar.

  1. Practice Gratitude Daily: Gratitude is a powerful antidote to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Take a moment each day to reflect on the blessings around you. Recall the warmth of Christmas joy by expressing gratitude for the simple pleasures, the love of family and friends, and the gift of each new day.
  2. Extend Acts of Kindness: Christmas is a season of giving, and this spirit can be perpetuated year-round through acts of kindness. Look for opportunities to lend a helping hand, offer words of encouragement, or simply share a smile. Acts of kindness not only brighten someone else’s day but also contribute to the joy that permeates the Christmas season.
  3. Keep the Message of Hope Alive: Christmas is a celebration of hope, symbolized by the birth of Jesus Christ. Stay connected to this message by engaging in regular moments of prayer, reflection, and Bible study. Let the hope that Christmas brings be a guiding light throughout the year, helping you navigate challenges with faith and optimism.
  4. Celebrate Milestones and Achievements: Just as we celebrate the birth of Christ during Christmas, take time to acknowledge and celebrate personal milestones and achievements. Reflect on your growth, express gratitude for accomplishments, and recognize the goodness in your journey. This ongoing celebration fosters a sense of joy and fulfillment.
  5. Foster a Spirit of Giving: Christmas often inspires generosity. Carry this spirit forward by actively seeking ways to give back to your community. Whether through volunteering, charitable donations, or supporting local causes, being a giver contributes to a sense of purpose and joy that transcends the holiday season.

In conclusion, keeping the joy of Christmas alive throughout the year is not only possible but transformative. By practicing gratitude, extending kindness, embracing hope, celebrating achievements, and fostering a spirit of giving, you can cultivate a continuous and lasting sense of Christmas joy in your heart. May the warmth and love of the Christmas season be your companion on every step of the journey ahead.

Thanks for reading.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Embrace the Joy

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They saw a star in the sky and thought it was a sign leading them to the baby Jesus. Their journey wasn’t just a road trip; it was a quest to meet the promised Savior.

When they finally reached the place where Jesus was, the Bible says they were super happy. Matthew 2:10 puts it like this: “They were overjoyed.” This wasn’t just regular happiness – it was like finding something really important and special.

The Wise Men’s joy came from realizing they were in the right place at the right time. Then, in verse 11, it says they found Jesus with his mom, Mary. What did they do? They knelt down and worshipped him, recognizing that he was no ordinary baby but a King. As a gift, they gave him valuable presents: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Their joy was because they found what they were looking for, and it wasn’t in a fancy palace but in a simple home with a baby. The Wise Men remind us that true joy comes from recognizing and appreciating the important things in life, like the love and significance found in unexpected places.

So, let’s be inspired by the Wise Men’s journey. Just like them, let’s keep our eyes open for special moments and find joy in the simple, meaningful things around us.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Good News of Great Joy

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The sun had set, and the shepherds were gathered around a small fire keeping warm in the darkness and coolness of night. Their sheep resting close by. It seemed like an ordinary night, but suddenly it became extraordinary. The darkness was pierced by the light of an angel, and the shepherds were terrified. Who can blame them? The darkness of night interrupted by the brilliance of an angel is enough to make the hair on anyone’s neck stand on edge.

“But the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said, ‘I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord, has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David. And you will recognize him by this sign: you will find a baby, wrapped in strips of cloth lying in a manger.’ Suddenly the angel was joined by a vast host of others, the armies of Heaven, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest Heaven and peace on earth with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:10-14).

Good news of great joy is what the shepherds needed. We all need good news of great joy, especially in the darkness of this era. Everywhere we turn we find negative headlines, but Christmas is a reminder there is good news, joyous news that is for everyone. This good news is Jesus. He is our way to peace with God.

The Bible says, “Do not let your hearts be trouble, but present your requests and petitions to God in prayer. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Because of Christmas, we can take the anxieties of this world and hand them over to the Lord. We can rest in the peace he offers.

The shepherds were the first to receive good news of great joy, but it is also for you and me. Allow the light of the Lord to pierce the darkness around you and bring you peace this Christmas season.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

how to respond like a shepherd?

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The sheep were asleep. The shepherds were gathered around a small fire talking as some of them dozed off. The stillness of the night was suddenly interrupted by an angelic visit. The angel brought news that a Savior had been born. The shepherds listened intently as the angel spoke, and when the angel had left them, they hurried to investigate this news.

The shepherds’ response to the angel’s news is worthy of modeling. As their initial terror subsided, the shepherds responded with much faith and overflowing joy.

“When the angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger” (Luke 2:15-16).

The shepherds responded to the angel with much faith. Believing the angel, the shepherds acted upon their belief. The writer of Hebrews says the Lord rewards those who earnestly seek him. How are you and I responding to the Lord in faith? Are we taking him at his word and allowing our curiosity to spur us on to see his promises fulfilled?

Along with their faith, the shepherds experienced overflowing joy. “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:17-19).

The shepherds were so filled with joy they could not keep it to themselves. They had seen the Lord, and they wanted to share their joy with everyone. As you and I find the joy of the Lord, we should attempt to share it.

We can share our joy in an appealing way. We can share our joy by starting a Pay-It-Forward chain at our favorite coffee shop. We can help purchase Christmas gifts for a family who otherwise would not have gifts. We could prepare a shoe box gift for Operation Christmas Child. We can call to check on a neighbor who may experience loneliness this time of year. There are many ways we can share our joy, and this is the perfect season to share it.

Many have commented they will be glad when 2020 enters the history books. It has been a sad and difficult year for lots of folks. It seems they may be hungry for joy and hope more this year than before, and the joy of the Lord can be prevalent in our lives. We can be like the shepherds and spread joy.

Please share this post, and thanks to Light for including this in a recent edition.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Joy in Hope

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“Joy is the flag which is flown from the castle of the heart when the king is in residence there,” said Robert Rainey.

In a Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown was having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit, so Linus said, “Charlie Brown, you are the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem.”

Are we like Charlie Brown? It is easy to become wrapped up in circumstances and loose sight of our hope. As Christians though, we are encouraged to always be joyful for our hope.

“Be joyful in hope. Patient in affliction. Faithful in prayer,” encourages Romans 12:12.

Be joyful in hope.

Life certainly has its difficulties, but we can always look ahead to the hope we have in Christ.

1 Peter describes this hope as…

  • A living and eternal hope. Time will not take our hope away.
  • A hope which will not perish or spoil. Our hope will always be the same. It is not going away.
  • A hope which will withstand trouble. We may be enduring afflictions, but they are not powerful enough to rob us of the hope we have in Christ.

No matter what we are going through or where we are right now, we can look ahead to the joyful promise we have been given.

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