A joyful Christmas to everyone!
When I was a little boy, I always look forward to this day. Not just because it is Christmas Day, but it is also my birthday. Oh I got that reversed – not just because it is my birthday, but it is also Christmas Day!
Christmas is the day when we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was not born on December 25 but we celebrate His birth on this day nonetheless. We then focus the celebration to the reason of the season. His name is Jesus!
At this very day, people are so happy. Perhaps, it is because they get to be with their families. Perhaps, it is because they are able to have a vacation from work and spend the day with their loved ones. Perhaps, it is because they are able to give and receive gifts from people they love. They experience and express different forms of love.
Unfortunately, there are also those people who are not happy. They say that life is difficult. Maybe they’re right. But it doesn’t have to be sad. We still can experience joy and gladness amidst life’s difficulties.
How then can we experience joy in this life? What we can do is to experience the joy in the love of God. Recognize His blessings in our life. Our life alone is an overflowing reason to be happy. Our life is a gift from God. The people around us. This day. The opportunities around us. Our job. Our business. Our ministry. Our volunteer work. Our service. Our relationships.
Take a moment to breathe deeply. Inhale. And as you inhale, breathe in the love of God. Let Him fill your nose, your lungs, and all of your being. As you allow His spirit to fill you in, exhale the doubt, the worries and pain. Imagine that as the air fills you up, His love continues to fill you up. Let His joy be in your heart.
This Christmas Day, let us be reminded that only Jesus Christ will fill up the longings of our heart. Only He will heal the pain our past. Only He will cast away the sorrows in our sad circumstances. Only He will bring joy to our life. Thus, today, we are reminded to welcome Him once again. Despite our unworthiness, our sins, our weaknesses. With His grace, we receive His love.
So that as we go to different places, occasions, and venues… as we go and meet people, we will be able to bring the joy. That joy is from our heart that is filled with His love.
So that even in circumstances that are difficult, we do not have look for events or things to bring us joy but that we are able to bring the joy. That joy is from our heart that is filled with His love.
Today, receive His love. His joy. And today, we are sent to extend His joy. Let us bring the joy!
Merry Christmas!
(Chris Dao-anis, CPA, ACG, ALB is a writer and speaker on communication and personal leadership. His latest book ‘Living Large in the Little Things’ is available at Mt. Cloud Bookshop, Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road, Baguio City. For talks and trainings, email him at chrisdaoanis@gmail.com or visit his website www.chrispoweracademy.com.)
