Devotional Scripture:

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those with nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Nehemiah's perspective is beautiful; he understands when it is time to celebrate and have joy. I find that for most of us in the West, Christmas has become a time of stress, depression, pain, hurt, overwhelm ness, anxiety, and shame. But that's not the right perspective or attitude for Christmas; the enemy has turned what is supposed to be joy, peace, and love into anxiety, fear, and depression. We are so focused on shopping, gifts, and what we will get that we forget to see the joy of Jesus's birth, which is our hope and joy.

I encourage you to choose joy this Christmas season instead of stress. Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those with nothing prepared."

This Christmas, let's not only think about ourselves but also about Jesus. He was thinking of us when he was born into this world as our joy and gift of life. Remember those this season who have nothing prepared...that's the key to joy; when we bless someone else, there's a joy that we cannot explain. Giving and sharing brings joy to the giver, and so this season, choose joy by giving to others and bringing a smile to their faces.

Then he said, "This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Do not grieve; this is a holy season, family; refuse to be depressed, refuse to be overwhelmed, and posture yourselves in the posture of joy that comes from the Lord.

This joy is our strength; there's no strength like the strength that comes from the joy of the Lord. Choose Joy, and let God do work in you this Christmas season so that those around you will also have joy.

God Bless You, Merry Christmas, Family.

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