from Comfort & Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent (Herald Press, 2024)
Children bring a special wonder and delight to Christmas endeavors, especially to creative projects. There’s plenty we can learn from their carefree, experiential attitudes.
When my now-grown son was a preschooler, I dreaded going into any store with TVs, computers, or any appliance with buttons. He wanted to touch every button. “Mom,” he explained, “You don’t understand. That’s what buttons are for—pushing!” He experienced joy by pushing all the buttons regardless of the outcome. For him, joy was about the process.
Acknowledging that joy has restorative work in our lives look for ways to foster this in yourself and others. Part of welcoming joy into our lives involves releasing control and worry about others’ perceptions of us. Children do this so well because they haven’t yet learned all of the social rules and constraints that inhibit us adults. Remaining open to joyful surprise is a worthwhile spiritual discipline, no matter what your holiday surroundings might be.
We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! You can spread the joy by liking, commenting and sharing this post with others.
Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.
some comfort and joy 