OK everybody up! Rise and shine! Good Morning!
It occurred to me that I wrote this a year ago and not much has changed…. well, something has changed.  The temperatures outside are below instead of above average for this time of year. Other things have changed but what do you think. Does this still apply?  We have officially entered the countdown to Christmas. The days leading up to Christmas anyway. Have you felt the pinch on time and stressed over the Christmas list, too many treks to the mall, and a pile of extra dishes from all that baking? If not, you’re in the minority and you’re no doubt one who is saying – I’m not all stressed out and I’m happy this way.  Or maybe you’re not all stressed out because your season of holiday frenzy hasn’t started yet and you’re just getting a late start. Over the next 12 days, let’s think about Christmas and substituting strength for stress. For all the Christmas cheer Santa promises to deliver, that sleigh comes filled with unfulfilled wishes and unmet expectations.  Somehow the meaning of gift has become confused with obligation.  The complaints of Christmas being overrun by commercialism are common. Let’s start with this common complaint because there is a cure for it.  The remedy for commercialism is contentment. It doesn’t mean we can’t want things, but wanting the the point of anxiety and finding no satisfaction in what we already have leads only to deeper discontent. Hebrew 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Every monring when we wake up to one day closer to Christmas – let’s practice being content. What are some things you have that bring contentment to your soul and spark joy in your heart? They don’t come from a store and Santa won’t carry it on his sleigh.  The joy comes from within and contentment comes from being thankful for what we have. Abundance doesn’t come in a box; it comes from an attitude of the heart.  Philippians 4:8,9, 11-13: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NruxzInhTs   – Get your happy on with Evie Tourquist ‘Come On Ring Those Bells’ – Merry Christmas