It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!
“It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all.”
So the song goes!! But depending on our focus, we can end up feeling like that twisted, half burning strand of lights that never made its way on the tree. There is so much vying for our attention, we can begin to wonder: is it REALLY the hap-happiest season of all? If you think about it, it’s a daily, intentional choice to make.
Do you remember a teen girl named Mary? When the angel appeared to her and announced that she was going to be a mother, scripture records that she was greatly troubled and asked, “how will this be?” Her reputation was at stake and the question bids a tone of dread, troubled to say the least. But where she decided to focus made all the difference; her next move was not to run and hide. Instead, she listened intently and then responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” And even though we are reminded that she was highly favored, the journey ahead was filled with a donkey ride while expecting, to be greeted by no one with nowhere to stay except in a barn…with the animals.
If you were Mary, would you be singing “it’s the hap-happiest season of all”? From reading the scriptures, we see that despite her circumstances, she chose joy; she chose obedience; and she chose gratitude. She set an example for us on that first Christmas night. She ushered us into the presence of Jesus, and that is where we can lead our family this season!
All the things that come with the season are fun and entertaining, but let’s begin with the end in mind. When the last package is unwrapped and all the decorations are put away, what do we want our family to remember? How did our family grow closer to Jesus? And with a little thought and intentionality, you can enter the advent season with a plan that will bring you joy and gratitude!
Maybe for your family, it looks like circling around the advent wreath and lighting a candle to gain focus or it may be a quick conversation while driving to school in the morning. Either way, your hopetown team desires to partner with you and has provided an easy-to-follow advent calendar to assist you on the journey! You can pick one up at your campus, or find a digital version HERE.
You can read God’s story of compassion one day at a time and then go and do a suggested activity and live out your own story of compassion as a family. This season, create beautiful memories that will impact your family and others for years to come.
There are also some excellent family friendly advent resources that could become a favorite family tradition. Check out some of these or create your own:
- The Giving Manger by Allison Hottinger
- The Greatest Christmas by Ann Voskamp
- Advent Table Cards by Kids Read Truth
“So they (shepherds) hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:16-19
I imagine that for Mary – it truly was the hap-happiest season of all. And it can be for us too as we await the coming of Jesus which is what advent is all about. So, rally your troops! Make a plan that suits YOUR family! Enjoy the sights and sounds of this most wonderful time of the year.
Choose joy; choose obedience; choose gratitude!
Merry Christmas!
Pam Watson
Garner hopetown Director
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