Day 22 – Joy to the World

I experienced a wonderful blessing this week. My 9-year old grandson, Wyatt, wrote an essay for school describing family traditions held at Christmas. As my daughter-in-law texted me about their discussion, she reminded him of one tradition they share with Reen and myself…Christmas Eve dinner in our home with the opening of presents. As a GrandMom, I felt so blessed to realize that even though they now live across the country, we are still part of their Christmas traditions remembered and cherished.

Then, to top it off, she texted yesterday asking for my “Christmas Bark” recipe writing, “Everyone looks forward to your bark! It is an essential.” I was delighted to send it to her. We are part of their Christmas celebration even when we can’t be there.

It’s wonderful to remember that while COVID curse continues to impact our lives and keeps us estranged from family we love this Christmas, God’s blessings flow “as far as the curse is found.” His blessings know no boundary and have no limit. I picture His blessings flowing over the miles and miles of this world, His Presence drawing us nearer to Him and to each other through traditions and cherished memories we share.

And the greatest blessing is that we hold His love, hope, and joy in our souls even when we are humanly alone. He is with us and wants us to experience His Presence always. We merely need to embrace Him. That’s where love, hope and joy are found…only in Him.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive its king;
let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.

You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. (Psalm 128:2)

Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. (Psalm 21:6)