Christmastime is Here, Happiness and Cheer

"I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel."

"Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who could take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem."
from Charlie Brown's Christmas


Charlie Brown's Christmas has always been one of my favorite Christmas movies. I can't say that I have ever before identified with Charlie Brown. But that opening scene of the movie was like it was taken straight from my thoughts this year. Ev told me the other day that if I wasn't happy right now, I'd never be happy. He meant it sort of tongue-in-cheek, but as usual, those comments always have some truth to them. We have a beautiful home to live in, balmy weather, our family is together for Christmas this year, which is a blessing we haven't always had in years past. So why do I feel like such a scrooge?

As it turns out, it's not the chilly weather, or the smell of freshly cut Christmas trees that creates a cheerful Christmas atmosphere. It's not having beautiful decorations or twinkle lights. Maybe you know this already, but bear with me, I'm still learning. I thought I could go through the motions, and that I could absorb holiday cheer from the outside, in. But it's just the opposite, isn't it? Real joy comes from within. And not just from someplace deep inside of us, but from God, who places it there. I believe that God gives the gift of joy freely, when we ask and are obedient to his will and commands. God will give us joy when we serve him, and when we worship him with our praise. Nehemiah 8:10 says, Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."


Luke 2:8-14
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multidude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"

Selah