Reflect: A favorite movie quote: "Buddy the Elf speaking, what's your favorite color?" I love the innocence and exuberance of Buddy, the main character in the Christmas movie "Elf." Buddy personifies the type of child-like wonder and joy I need to have infused into the core of my soul at Christmas time...how about you?
Read: "Joy to the world, the Lord is come...let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing." Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst...He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice." God is with us and rejoices over us - we are with God and we rejoice over Him - sounds like a continuous state of joy!
Imagine: Just for a moment, look at life through the eyes of a child - children have a way of seeing what we don't see - they see people and details that we completely gloss over. They see beauty in simple things like dandelions and silver crayons. They squeal with joy at an energetic puppy's antics. Their eyes open wide at the sight of a birthday cake with candles burning brightly. They jump up and down in anticipation of a cookie - even a store-bought one. Today, find something to jump up and down about! Even better yet, find a friend to jump up and down with!!
Pray: God help me to see You through the eyes of a child today. Restore a sense of wonder and anticipation to my heart and help me to rejoice in the simple things.
Celebrate: Only 8 days 'til Christmas!