Christmas time for some is so stressful that they are robbed of joy.  Is that you?

The busyness of the season revolves around cleaning, decorating, baking, and shopping!  The shopping can be the most challenging because we want to find the PERFECT gift for our family and friends! 

I want to encourage you with these truths from God’s Word.

Thanks be to God  for His indescribable gift! (Present) 1 Corinthians 9:15

The only PERFECT gift is God’s gift to us…HIs Spirit living in us. (Which, by the way fills us with that unspeakable joy.) 

My mind has been mulling over this phrase for weeks now – “My present is His presence!”

This morning, as I sit in front of my decorated tree, enjoying my coffee time with Jesus, I realized that this will be my 4th Christmas without my husband.  It seems like yesterday as I relive the sudden shock and grief of his death and yet it seems like an eternity because I miss him so much!

It is humanly impossible to have joy in the middle of deep sorrow – that joy comes only from HIs presence in us. And I am so grateful for His presence. 

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.  Acts 2:28

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:11

Are you experiencing JOY this Christmas season and always? Do you KNOW Jesus the Joy Giver personally? You can know Him intimately! My prayer is that you are experiencing His presence this Christmas season.

Joyfully yours, Arlene