When my children were small, there was such anticipation and excitement as Christmas drew near. The wonder of the season can be seen in the eyes of our children.

As they have grown older and seasons have changed, I find myself struggling to recapture the joy that Christmas used to bring.

I recall the fun of sitting on Santa’s lap, baking cookies, and reading Christmas stories. Of Santa’s elf, Doodle, who sometimes forgot to find a new hiding place. Of riding around to see all the beautifully decorated homes. I remember how fun it was on Christmas morning to see their eyes light up with excitement over all the gifts under the tree.

Sometimes when we reflect on the “good old days”, we start to believe that they were so much better than the days we are in right now. The struggles of 2020 have led many of us to think back to better times and wonder how we will be able to experience the joy of Christmas when all we want is for this crazy year to come to an end!

Has the wonder of the season really gone away?

Or have we just stopped looking for it?

When we search for joy in circumstances or within ourselves, we come up empty every time. True joy only comes when we look up and look around.

LOOK UP and praise God for good news of great joy! The birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord!

LOOK AROUND and thank God for all the blessings in our lives.

The joy of the season is not found in decorations, gifts, or gatherings. It can only be found in Jesus and the salvation we have through Him. If you are struggling getting into the spirit of the season this year, LOOK BACK. Not to Christmases past, but ALL the way back to the night everything changed. When Christ came into the world to save us from our sin.

The good news of the gospel produces great joy in our lives! It’s God’s gift to us that we get to keep long past Christmas.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 ESV