How Do We Get Back to Love and Joy?

Christmas Roses for You

The phrase "I love ____" is so common that the true meaning of love has nearly lost its meaning. We become so attached to an object, we associate human feelings to that "thing." Therefore, human affection and constant caring of another person becomes diminished and somewhat unimportant, or casual. Is this, perhaps, where the concept of a "Bah-humbug" idea of Christmas comes from? How do we get back to Love?



Love Is. . .
It's easy to forget this is the season that abounds in love! Cranky attitudes, bad behavior, crime, materialism, greed, and on and on discolors Christmas with a splash of "bleach." Amazingly this year there is even a trend of black, artificial Christmas trees being successfully sold. Strange considering black technically is not even a color (it's the absence of all color)! True, we know about the whimsical pink, blue, purple, and silver trees too. More oddities that many people enjoy immensely. Or we may prefer an all-white tree (another non-color that at least reflects all other colors). The choices are mind-blowing! But back to our point. . .

The kind of love we all look for is unselfish and shares warm, cozy feelings with those around us at home and in our friendships. We gladly decorate our houses to welcome family and neighbors into a gracious home. We put up Christmas trees to light up dreary December days. We plan and shop for just the right present to give to those we love. 

Frosty Christmas Star 

It's amazing how giving becomes a contagious, attractive pursuit, especially during the month of December. And not just with our own families. We've all seen in the malls, the Angel Trees with paper tags of little boys and girls names and ages. We buy and return the gift to the tree and a child is not forgotten. We hear of stories about firemen and policemen giving gifts to children in need. We willingly participate in the U. S. Marines Toys for Tots program.  To Share Your Love, CLICK HERE 


And in our home environment, we lovingly give a gift of joy. Each year our Mom made dozens and dozens of cookies and sweets to fill numerous gift tins. She started in November and baked all the way up to Christmas! We gave out these welcome food gifts and in the process, mom taught us how to share our love. The reward was seeing the expressions on the faces of the receivers!

A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. —Tenneva Jordan    

Joy Is. . . 

Of course, the true meaning and joy of Christmas is celebrating the birth of Baby Jesus. In many families and Christian churches, children are welcomed to attend a "Birthday Party" for Jesus and it brings to life the events surrounding this glorious occasion. Then families attend evening or midnight church service, many times with lit candles, where the Christmas Story from the Holy Bible is told to all. What a joy come to life!

"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them" (Luke 2:6-7 NLT)

[The entire Christmas story can be found in the Holy Bible, Luke 2:1-20]