Be the Light for Others: Share Joy!

How are you feeling this week? It's been a week since Thanksgiving, and a lot has changed, at least in my neck of the woods. On Thanksgiving I looked forward to seeing the kiddos on Monday, then Saturday came. Our school is doing virtual instruction for two weeks because the COVID numbers are high. I am bummed. My heart breaks for the kids, their parents, and all the educators. If I focus on the loss then I'm overcome with grief. I can't even imagine how our parents and students are feeling. 

It's in these moments when it's the most challenging to remain joyful and hopeful yet this is the most joy-filled and hope-filled time of year, it's Advent. The days and weeks leading up to Christmas. We shouldn't be have heightened stress, unknowns, and darkness. This is a season of Light, the Light of Jesus Christ. Yet, in this season of light, the darkness wants to swallow us whole. I won't let the darkness win and neither should you. A verse came to mind, John 8:12, says "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." This is truth, a truth I need to pray each day.

As we move forward in this Advent season, with COVID dictating how we can live and celebrate, remember: the "experts", scientists, and politicians have our health and best interest at the forefront of their decision making. We can't change COVID. We can't change the decisions they make pertaining to our ability to go to work, the store, or congregate BUT we do have the ability and choice to FOCUS ON GOD and ALL THE GOOD and BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES! It may  be more difficult to celebrate and be joyful yet this is exactly what we all need to be doing.

We aren't called to let the darkness win, we are Christ's ambassadors. Let us each shine brightly and share joy and happiness with everyone we meet. Let joy be contagious. Let hope spread. Let the love and light of Jesus illuminate the darkness.
How are you sharing JOY this holiday season?