Tidings of Great Joy

I’ve been slow to get in the Christmas spirit this season, having just finally put away all of my fall décor. But yesterday I thought I’d put on the Christmas music & begin to tackle the project of trimming the house & trees. Keith has been working each day on putting up the outside lights, so if I, too, pace myself we’ll have joy in the house in no time.

So the joy began spreading from hearth to walls, from tabletops to counter tops. Opening each Christmas crate brought memories of Christmases past & the love of friends & family who had blessed us with these decorations, adding to the joy of this season.

But one crate that I opened held a not-so-pleasant surprise: everything was wet! As I removed a soaked tree skirt, I found items I’d carefully wrapped in tissue & newspaper all moldy & damp. My sweet music boxes, rusted; snow globes were…EMPTY! Gracious sakes alive, my newest snowman snow globe was completely dry on the inside and was obviously the source of what had caused this sad situation.

I pulled out item after item, ruined by water damage, causing me to remember other things that had been destroyed or lost this past year:

Our basement flooding in January as 7” of rain fell on us in 2 days; scrambling to remove equipment before it could be ruined; tearing out wet drywall (ha – what a term), baseboards & flooring; replacing it all & repairing the area that had let the water in. And yet, no equipment was lost or damaged!

Our burglary in March…returning home after leading music at Bible study to find our home in disarray; my collector edition guitar, gone; our safe, with wills, passports, important papers, my mom’s wedding ring…all gone without a trace. And yet, we weren’t home at the time; no one was harmed; it could have been so much worse; our police officer was such a blessing!

My dad’s health deteriorating; my stepbrother disappearing in May & my stepmom’s stress & grief taking its toll on her body; Kole’s new iPhone stolen from his pocket at a concert; our 8 month-old great-nephew falling & fracturing his skull; my lengthy MS flare resulting in a med change. And yet we’re trusting God for my stepbrother’s return; our nephew is fine; my new med is a pill: NO MORE SHOTS!

I continued to unwrap the contents of the crate & found several items that could be salvaged: joyful snowmen, Nativity scenes, & best of all, Baby Jesus, Mary & Joseph, each on a block of J, O, or Y – untouched!

Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph on blocks of JOY

How fitting, because no matter what challenges we experience, no matter the loss, nothing can take away the abundant JOY of the Lord Jesus from our lives– it will remain untouched!

And THAT reminded me of the abundant blessings the year brought us:

Kole’s new Attorney position at Ingrooves Music Group & his first apartment in Studio City; time spent with Dad & Patty making his office more accessible; the engagement of 2 nieces; weddings of family & close friends; out of town family visiting; Keith’s encouragement from 2 dear old friends; God’s provision in keeping his body strong & able to work; a dear friend entering rehab & finally understanding Jesus’ gift of amazing grace. What joy these brought to our hearts!

So, whatever each of us may have faced this year let us remember the angel’s words on the very first Christmas: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the LORD.” Luke 2:10-11

John 15:11 “I (Jesus) have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

John 16:22 “Now is the time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy.” (Emphasis mine)

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this reminder that real joy is not found in “things” but is only found in you. Thank you that NO ONE can take your joy away from us. Please open our eyes to see all of the blessings you’ve showered on us, as we celebrate your birth. Amen

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!