This time of year can be very difficult for some people.... there are many families and loved ones who are estranged from one another.  If you are not facing that this year, consider yourself very blessed!

With all that goes into the Christmas season, many of us want and try hard to have and to make a perfect Christmas.  All that goes into this perfection makes for stress upon stress.

In order for us to make room for the Baby Jesus, we must clear the clutter out of our hearts and lives right now, and choose the simple.  And in choosing the simple, we can then leave room for what Christmas truly is:  a joyfull time.  We should choose to carry JOY in our hearts.

CHRIST came on a dark night long ago to give us a future hope...

So when you burn the turkey.... choose JOY.

When you break that special ornament... choose JOY.

When people are rude and cruel and unforgiving... choose JOY.

When your Christmas plans don't go your way... choose JOY.

When the Magi were tending their sheep they were visited by an Angel of the LORD.   And the Angel said: "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great JOY that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10

Christmas is not about the presents, the wrapping, or the food.  It is about us receiving the BABE born in Bethlehem and being joyous about it!  If you really got nothing else at all for your Christmas, wouldn't JESUS be enough?  Isn't GOD'S love for us all we really need?

Try this Christmas to keep it simple... make it all about JESUS, all about HIS love, and HIS mercy, and grace.  That alone is enough to bring us JOY upon JOY!

MATTHEW 2:10 "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."

May your days ahead be simple and filled with HIS JOY!