December is with us and I'm not sure I am quite ready for the end of the year already! But I probably say that each year!
There's a few things I've been mulling over recently and one is what we mean by 'joy'. Christmas is a season for joy and often we interpret that as a time for 'happiness'. The expectation that when we are surrounded by Christmas trees and lights, mulled wine and mince pies, somehow we will abound with joy. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy seeing the lights twinkling on trees and the smell of freshly baked mince pies. But the season does also bring with it a sense of busyness, a growing 'to do' list and often general overwhelm.
Is it just me?
I think this year there is also again a sense of uncertainty after last year and with news of the new Covid variant and the possible impact that may have on the coming weeks.
Fear, anxiety and discontentment threatens to steal our joy.
But what is joy?
That is what I have been pondering.For me, it is the assurance that there is a power far beyond anything I am capable of influencing. That I cannot make a difference to these situations that threaten to overwhelm me. It is not simply the sense being happy - which is generally influenced by changing circumstances or surroundings.
It is the security in knowing there is something deeper and more significant than turkey and presents.
Joy is the assurance that no matter what my head and heart may say, I KNOW that I am loved and treasured, no matter what I might feel.
I can have had the worst day at work or home; had the biggest disagreement with my loved ones, BUT I can be assured that I am loved beyond measure by Father God.
His Word says this (Psalm 139: 13-16) :
This tells me that I was part of God's plan before I was born.
That he knew me before my parents had met me.
That I truly matter to him.
How reassuring is that?
Dwelling on that truth offers me a different perspective on whatever I may be surrounded by at this time.
However twinkly the lights, however tasty the turkey,
or indeed if the lights are dim;
or the turkey is not tasty;
if I am swallowed up by family strife,
this truth remains the same.
We seem to put a high expectation on this season.
We strive for the picture perfect Christmas.
But the manger was anything but picture perfect.
The stable smelt like a farmyard - or worse!
There was no midwife bringing reassurance to a young unmarried mother and no disinfected labour ward. There was no clean nappy to put the baby in and no new babygro to dress him in.
But there was joy at the birth of a baby.
And not just any baby.
This baby was a promise of hope to the world.
Whether I am enjoying the season or if it is the loneliest or unhappiest, time of the year, these words remain true - God knows me, he loves me, he made me and he treasures me.
I intend to take some time to mull over this, to close my eyes, sit in the stillness and reflect on this truth...
I'll leave the final word to a song lyric which makes me tingle every time I hear it -
You can listen to the whole song here.
(My daughters will approve - Christmas must always include Pentatonix!!)
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