Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Finding the JOY

My husband and I have been so focused on our irritation at the early Christmas songs in the stores before Halloween that it's hard to make the switch now that December is here to enjoying the music of the season. I think my transition started yesterday after watching the Mormon Tabernacle choir's Christmas program on TV. Then at church we discussed the meaning of JOY. It's much different than the happiness and fun of celebrating this holiday. It's the deeper realization of the special event we are commemorating-the birth of the Savior and His example.




This morning I watched a lovely video clip designed by my alma mater BYU and sent to me in an email greeting from my new dg-in-law's mother Janene. You can see it by clicking here on Joy to Everyone This Christmastime. Please check it out and reflect what the season is all about.

In closing a quote to consider from our Prophet Thomas Monson: “This is our one and only chance at mortal life–here and now. The longer we live the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come and they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that elusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey–now.”

7 comments:

  1. Oh yes...finding "the joy of the journey now"!

    I just read something by Henri Nouwen with a similar thought:

    "Patient living means to live actively in the present and wait there. Impatient people expect the real thing to happen somewhere else, and therefore they want to get away from the present situation and go elsewhere. For them, the moment is empty..."

    I am learning to living in the now more and more. So thanks Lin for the reminder!

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  2. Good reminder. Joy is usually not too elusive for me... but, now and then I find myself slogging through some temporary bog of disenchantment. So these reminders help me to tie my outlook up with a pretty bow and be of good cheer.

    It doesn't bother me when Christmas music plays early. It's always some of my favorite music. It always has a great message, either beautiful, joyful, or playful lyrics. So, I figure it can't hurt to hear it anytime of the year. It doesn't make it quite as special as it used to be when I was younger and we waited with much anticipation to finally hear it on the radio... but, it's all good.

    I've already mentioned that I embrace everything about the season. I offer no apologies for loving Santa Claus. What can be so terrible about an old man who's only purpose for breathing is to give to others with no expectation of receiving anything in return?
    I like him... I like the idea of him. Even the commercialism of the season is okay with me. It's providing jobs and income to so many. We talk about keeping the Spirit of Christmas all year long and then balk when someone tries to get it to us a little earlier. There are pros and cons, good and bad to both sides of this argument. I just prefer to concentrate on the positive. Helps me be more "joyful" to look at the sunnier side. It also is the attitude I believe the Savior would have me carry. Many of those songs that they've been playing since October tell His story and rejoice at His birth. You can never hear too much of that, can you?

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  3. I believe in finding joy in the journey no matter what your faith is..

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  4. I believe finding joy in the journey, and purpose, too, is what life is all about. I love Caryn's comments about Santa and commercialism. I love the beauty and exuberance of the season, natural and atrificial!

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  5. Popped by for a quick peek.

    Enjoyed the comments you left, Caryn. Enjoyed your phrase, 'temporary bog of disenchantment' ... temporary fits me too, as I rarely have a bad day...not to say there isn't opportunity, but I have learned to just keep choosing the beauty over the 'bog' every time I need to.

    And oh, I'm glad you enjoy Christmas music any time... me too, especially Handel or Bach. And that you love in the whole 'gamut' of the season... When the angel said, I bring you good tidings of GREAT Joy.... I'm all for just reaching out with both hands and 'joying' in it all.

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  6. Thank you for those important words, Lin. They are so appropriate.

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  7. Here and now is it. May we know that joy know and spread it everywhere. God bless, Lin.

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