Advent Week three - The Joy of Christmas When I was growing up our family had many Christmas traditions that filled our hearts with joy. I loved helping with the decorating, and my Mom had many beautiful things that we unpacked and placed each in its own special spot. My favorite was the manger scene. It was breakable, so each piece was placed with care on our mantle, telling the story of the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins on the first Christmas day. God with us, Emmanuel. And the angels declared good will to men and peace on earth. Words that bring joy to all mankind. Today I am blessed that this manger scene is in my house, bringing joy still.
The sound of Christmas carols also filled our home throughout the entire Christmas season and still does. “Joy to the World” will always be one of my favorites. The Lord is come. Let heaven and nature sing! I love every version of this song. It lifts my heart and brings with it an inner joy that is indescribable, as Chris Tomlin puts it.
To complete the Christmas joy experience, I remember the delicious smells and tastes of the season. For our family, it was all about the cookies. My mother baked so many kinds of cookies it was truly an extravaganza. She gave them away as gifts and shared them with people we invited over, bringing joy to many. Today the joy of cookies happens in my house as we all sit around the table, young and old, frosting cookies together, laughing and experiencing the joy of togetherness. It’s a crazy mess, when you include 9 grandchildren, but every moment is filled with joy, including the cleanup!
I am grateful that the season of remembrance of Jesus’ coming is a season of joy in every way for all the senses. What are your favorite Christmas-joy memories that warm your heart and bring a smile to your face? Make sure you carry on traditions this year that spread joy to your family and friends—and to your very own heart.
By Jeannie Blocher, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Jeannie and her husband Roy Blocher founded Body & Soul® in 1981 and she currently serves as the Director of Spiritual Impact, leading a dedicated team of Instructors in creating spiritual resources for the ministry. Jeannie loves spending time with family, which now includes 9 grandchildren, spread over three states. She loves encouraging both family and Body & Soul® friends to grow in faith & fitness!
