Just make me happy. Give me a guppy, a birthstone ring… a perky teacup, that sort of thing.
I prefer Joy. A mature kind of happiness, a grandchild, security, …an old man who has been loyal to me.
I’ve been tossing around some thoughts about happiness vs joyfulness. Probably making more out of it than I should. But Christmas time brings me to the question of how many people are selling out for being happy and never know the joy in JOY. For me, it generally comes down to sentiment, memories, nostalgia. For some it is a matter of staying up with the times, following trends, buying something new. To each his own.
Except in one thing. That is the matter of finding the Joy of Jesus. The marvel of God coming as the Messiah. My sin debt paid by the Babe, whom the angel said was to be named Jesus. He would be the Messiah.
Short true story. David and Oriana brought me a stunning golden ball about four inches in diameter. It looked lovely. I didn’t want to open it at that time. They were a bit disappointed that I chose to keep it on display rather than open it. I was right. I enjoyed the anticipation. About a week later I broke it open. The chocolate was delicious. I’ve never had better. But then it became three pounds on my bones that I did not need! It is amazing how 8 ounces before eating becomes three pounds after eating! And there the foil stands now all empty and bare.
Another true story of happiness. This was a little girl who loved to lick the salt block with Ole Betsy. I know this first hand. Sometimes I could break off the salt triangle where licks from two directions intersected. It is now pay back time as I have to pass over the salt on much of my food.
Merry Christmas Dear Friends. Don’t get too wrapped up in the wrappings of Christmas. But don’t get to staid to see all its Joys.
Wish I could snap my fingers and promise you a wonderful 2023, but I can’t. I can, however, show you that Jesus is still our Messiah, our Anointed One, the Christ who saves. About the best I can promise you for the year, is that it will be one year nearer his coming again. We Shall Behold Him!
Sweet aroma 
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you also, Frank.
Merry Christmas 🎄 to you, Oneta!
You are finding “all things new” this year, while still enjoying the old, old story of Christmas. Blessings.
True! We were just talking about how this is such a different, new experience for us. We are going to attend and cook something for a small dinner. We will be tasting things that come from the north, that’s new!
Blessings.
Thanks and you too! 🙏😘🎄
We shall behold Him. Beautiful words Oneta and reminded me so well of the Christmas Story when those at his birth beheld him for the first time. Wonderful, joyful, beautiful. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
This might be the year! Hope this Christmas Day is enjoyable to you.
A merry and blessed Christmas to you, Oneta!
Thank you. Today has arrived. Another year to celebrate and a year closer to the next coming of the Son.
Can’t wait!!
Wishing you the most joy-filled Christmas ever, Oneta, and more joys to come in the new year.
I am entering the year day by day as we all are. We will take them day by day. Good times we rejoice; others we bear with grace – hopefully. Blessed and Joyous Day to you.
Oooh, Oneta, how I want to see Him!!
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, maybe next year in the New Jerusalem.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
That song will put excitement in your soul, as well as tapping in your toes. For Sammy it would be a squeezing of the toes. The more emotional he gets, the tighter his toes get. 😀 Now I’m telling secrets. Merry Christas.
Merry Christmas, Oneta! 🎄
Hoping you are reaping a restful day. Merry Christmas.
Thank you. I hope you are too.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! ❤
God give you a joyous, restful, and peaceful day. You will need it if you plan to hit the after Christmas sales!
🙂 I don’t plan on going out shopping any time soon, but today has been just right for taking it easy at home. ❤
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas filled with lots of love, laughter and family.
How well I know the joy of licking the salt blocks! And of 8 ounces of chocolate becoming 3 pounds on the bones! You are so right. JOY over “happy.”
Thanks for smiling with me. 🙂