Christmas is a season where it seems we go from one celebration to the next. From our annual Christmas in the Valley celebration to a Christmas lunch, this is the season of planning, preparing, participating and putting away!

This morning, I was chatting with a woman who was preparing for her Christmas lunch. As I gathered items from the weekend to put them away, I told her about our church and hosting our annual Christmas in the Valley for our community. As I finished sharing, she exclaimed “Wow, I bet your glad that’s done!” I think I surprised her when I said, “No, I am sad it’s over.”

With the Advent season, we enjoy many beautiful moments celebrating Jesus. From Thanksgiving through New Years, we gather with family and friends, attend church events, and participate in community events. Sometimes the hustle and bustle take the joy out of the season, and when we come to the end we are thankful to have just gotten through it. So how do we keep our joy throughout the season?

I often think of that much used phrase, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” There is much truth in that! Christmas is about Jesus. His coming, even the promise of His coming, brought joy!

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

From His very birth, the coming of Jesus meant joy. The heavens were filled with angels proclaiming the glorious news of Jesus’ arrival. God’s promises were being fulfilled as the coming of His Son meant everlasting joy for all who would believe. Celebrating Jesus often takes us from one activity to the next. With all the hustle and bustle, sometimes we need to remind ourselves to stop and enjoy the beauty of the moment and remember the reason we are in this busy season.

In John 15, Jesus shares with the disciples about the vine and the branches. If we abide in God, we will bear fruit – evidence that we are truly His. Toward the end of this passage, Jesus talks about joy.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:9-11)

Joy comes in time spent with the Father. It comes with abiding in Him and allowing the Holy Spirit to change us to be more like Jesus. Advent places our focus on Jesus’ birth and Old Testament promises fulfilled. His birth brought hope and with that hope comes everlasting joy. As each activity celebrates His birth, treasure the joy He has brought. Let it flow out of you as you prepare. When plans do not work out exactly as you want, remember, the gatherings of the season are not about the gatherings. The times we share in the season are for the joy of celebrating Jesus, the reason for our season.

Take time in each moment and allow the joy of Jesus to fill your heart. Jesus has come! His coming fulfilled the promises of God and has brought the gift of salvation to all who will believe. His gift promises everlasting joy and because of that our hearts may be full.

Keep Jesus as the reason for your season. Abide in His love, celebrate His birth, treasure each moment, and let His coming fill your heart with joy!