How to Keep the Joy of Christmas All Year Long

November came and has almost gone. One day left and the air is already filled with expectation for the coming of Christmas.

It happens the moment the first light on the tree comes alive and shimmers in the darkness.

Or maybe the shifting of the atmosphere begins even earlier. Maybe when the golden brown turkey is being pulled from the oven on Thanksgiving.

This year I felt it the weekend before Thanksgiving as my four children trimmed the tree. Laughter and joy filled the air as my two oldest pulled ornaments out of the box with excitement remembering how each ornament was brought into our family.

“Mom, remember when I made this one in Virginia at the Yankee Candle place.”

“Mom, remember this one? Meme gave us this one on Elijah’s first Christmas!”

I felt it in their words, the excitement and the expectation of the coming season.

An expectation begins to settle on us. My heart is full.

Nearly one week later and the air is filled with even more excitement as Thanksgiving is now behind us. The house is filled with even more and the lights are strung on a second Christmas tree and I sit pondering ….. how can I bottle this expectation up?

What would life be like if I drank from the bottle of expectation? Anticipating that something good is about to happen.

Anticipation. Waiting. Expecting.

For one month out of the year even the mall shouts, “He is here!” The whole world is in perfect unity that something good is about to happen. They are in expectation. The air is filled with such excitement.

My heart longs to carry this expectancy throughout the whole year long.

I Corinthians 9:10: “…he that plows ought to be plowing in expectation; and he that threshes should be partaker of his expectation.”

Because we live on the other side of the Cross where the victory has been won! Our King is here. He lives and breathes in us and through us.

Wrap your brokenness in the Truth and allow it to transform you.

Living all year long with expectation that something good is about to happen should be a reality for you and me.

It all begins in our thoughts. What we mediate on becomes our reality.

Because it is impossible for all the darkness in the world to snuff out our hope…because He has come to save and deliver!

We stay in His story. We stay wrapped in the Truth of His word and our heart will always be anticipating. Waiting. Knowing something good is about to unfold.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Look up. Be watchful. Something good is about to happen.

Precious ones who are reading this, know that I care for you and pray for you. May you be blessed with truth and grace today.

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