As We Leave Christmas: A Reflection! by Raquel Scott

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

-Luke 2:10

Today, I wanted to share some hope and encouragement with you as we head into the Christmas Holiday.

My family and I have already celebrated Christmas last Saturday because some of my children were scheduled to go out of town for the holiday. However, we were again met with an unwelcome Intruder. 

Our Thanksgiving was shifted by this same unwelcome intruder. 

When my daughter realized it had snuck its way into our Christmas celebration she was very upset. As she sat on the stairs in complete frustration, disappointment, and worry, tears started to fill her eyes. When I noticed that she was crying, I stopped what I was doing and went over to the step where she sat. With a look of both sensitivity and sincerity, I looked her in the eyes and said these words, 

“Joy is a choice.. We can accept it or we can reject it but it’s a gift that has been given to us and we choose how we will use it.” 

After this statement, I shared a few more words with her, said a prayer and we started to open up gifts. Of course, she was met with joy quickly from all the fun surprises she had unwrapped, but I pray that out of all the gifts she received that day, that moment we shared will be the greatest of them all. 

I am sharing this with you because I felt that you needed to be reminded of this same truth.

Joy is a choice! Not always an easy one, but a choice nonetheless. 

Years ago when I was going through some very difficult challenges, God said to me, 

“There are more challenges ahead of you than there are behind you. At some point, you need to learn to trust me”

From that trust, we can experience Joy in “Our”World. 

While sitting with my daughter, I shared with her that it is okay to shed tears because disappointment is a real emotion, however, we must choose not to stay there. We learn to make the best of what is presented to us and believe that God is sovereign and faithful. He knows the “Why”that we may never know or understand, and we have to trust him.

Christmas may look completely different this year for you, as it does for me, because of an unwelcome intruder. But what if God is inviting you into a less traditional more INTENTIONAL moment with Him this year. What if he is wanting you to make Christmas about Christ and this inconvenience is the vehicle he has allowed to help you remember the true reason for the season. 

I’ve been more excited about this Christmas than any other, since I am intentionally choosing to make it all about Jesus (which I haven’t always done the best at in the past). And as we celebrate, I will be reminding my family of the gift of Joy that we get to experience because He came into our world. I hope you will do the same!

Merry Christmas!

Raquel Scott