The Holiday Spirit – Meh?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! I have to confess, there are times I don’t think I’ve caught the “feeling” of joy and happiness as much as others around me and I wonder why that is the case. While others are excited about decorations, trees, gifts, and food, I’m feeling a bit burnt out.
Thinking it through, I may have gotten so focused on work and results that I’ve forgotten to stop, and like this little happy penguin in the video above, just enjoy the very life that so many–especially Jesus–have sacrificed so that I might enjoy. These people include my parents, my family, people in the military, and of course, Jesus Christ.
It was the good shepherd who said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11
In some ways, I think I need to honor the sacrifices people have made for me in order to have that abundant life, by not robbing myself of the abundance in joy through busy-ness, and failure to stop and count my blessings.
See? I feel better already. And now, to do some penguin-happy dancing.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
BTW: Which penguin in this video do you identify with? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you!
Joshua Graham is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, winner of the International Book Award and Forward National Literature Award. His thrillers include DARKROOM, LATENT IMAGE and BEYOND JUSTICE, and TERMINUS. Graham's works have been characterized as thought-provoking page-turners.
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