JOY

Hey friends, it's me again. Your holly jolly night owl elf, sleepless in her own little winter wonderland.

As I was lying awake in bed the word Joy kept running around in my head. Joy, simply put means a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. As we enter the Christmas season, with the hustle and bustle it brings, are you experiencing joy? I know for most, it's probably a healthy mix of joy and stress, amongst other things I'm sure. I know there is an acronym for many words, and for Joy, I grew up hearing Jesus, Others, and You. And the older I get, the more I understand the weight it carries. One of my nieces texted our family chat the other day and said that she brought some cookies to the office where she picks up her packages and she saw how busy and hard they were working. She then went on to say how good it made her feel, and there is so much beauty in that. There was no agenda, no recognition that was desired, it was a selfless act/moment of giving to others that brought joy. Jesus is the giver of Joy, and He desires for us to experience it, but also share it with others to experience as well. That acronym speaks for itself. Jesus, the giver of the gift, gives us things where we experience joy, which in turn we turn around and do something to bring someone else joy, which in the end gives us joy right back. I love the circle of joy that just keeps going around.

The Holidays are here, and everything starts to get crazy! The calendar fills up, you're baking spirits bright, decorating to have a cozy atmosphere, and turning up the Christmas carols as they fill the room with nostalgia; all beautiful and wonderful things, but are you doing something for someone else? In a time where we are seemingly the busiest, I think we should also find the time to slow down and be intentional about doing something special for someone you know, or a complete stranger! Now don't start stressing, because I know you just mentally may have freaked for a moment, I'm not saying to do anything extravagant, even the simplest of things can have the biggest impact. Bake some cookies for your elderly neighbor that may be alone during the holiday season. Donate some clothes to a shelter or organization that is helping those in need. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, and bring a joyful smile to those who may need it the most. Getting nerdy and scientific for a moment, let me tell you what a smile does for just us. Smiling increases mood-enhancing hormones which decrease stress-enhancing hormones. Not only that but it can reduce your overall blood pressure, and when you are happy and smiling, typically the muscles in your face will send a trigger to your brain which in turn reduces more endorphins. And that's just for you! When you smile at other people it can automatically help them to feel better not only about themselves, but their current situations that may not be the best. I don't know about you, but just knowing that makes me want to smile at everyone and their dog! Without much effort, you can be the changing course of someone's day! Listen, I understand that you may not feel like smiling, you spilled your coffee on the way out, the kids won't stop arguing with each other, you and your husband are bickering over something probably really silly when you look back on it, and you're stuck behind the slowest person known to man...but a smile doesn't only change the other person, it changes you too. I know this isn't some super deep blog post, and I'm not quoting scripture all over the place. But sometimes we just need simple reminders. Reminders that something as simple as a smile can change so much, and dump joy all over someone like sprinkles on yummy ice cream, or mini marshmallows on some delicious hot cocoa. This Christmas season I encourage you to be a Joy giver. Find excuses to be one, make it a game for your children and teach them the benefits of kindness and a smile. Let Joy be your guide, not only this Christmas season but all year round!

Joyful joyful we adore thee, God of Glory, Lord of Love.