Sharing Holy Christmas Joy

A Legacy of Joy

The memory of one who lived with integrity brings joy. — Proverbs 10:7 VOICE

We’re in that season when families travel great distances to reconnect, share long conversations, eat meals, carry out traditions, and reminisce about relatives that the little ones never got to meet. Maybe your grandfather passed away years ago, but he still comes up in every family exchange. Without fail, these conversations involve plenty of laughter and fond memories. Aunts and uncles exchange stories about the time Grandpa fell into the farm pond or hung Grandma’s false teeth on the Christmas tree. He’s not physically in the room, but he’s left a legacy of joy that affects the whole family.

Some people prompt family feuds even after they’re gone. Others trigger sorrow, and others spread joy. How do you want to be known? What sort of memories do you want to leave for those you love?

If you’d like to impart joy to your descendants, start today.

Please allow me to teach my family holy joy and devotion to You, Lord. I want to leave a legacy that stretches into eternity.

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The Joy of Making Room

If you have food, share it with those who are hungry. — Luke 3:11 NLT

The average house in America (even one that most of us would consider just a cottage) is huge by most of the world’s standards. Our dinner tables are sprawling, and our idea of a meal is three times the amount of food that most cultures eat in one sitting. Many American families spend the week after Christmas trying to give away leftover cookies and cakes because they can’t eat them all.

Yet many people will spend this Christmas without shelter, or all alone, or hungry. Some of these people live in your town, perhaps even on your street. They might be a next-door neighbor, a senior from the senior living complex, a college student who can’t afford to fly home, or a single man or woman whose family lives far away.

Take a look at your dinner table. Count the extra chairs you keep in the closet. Consider how much food is going to be on your buffet table on Christmas Day.

Do you have room for one more?

Lord, I want my family to experience the joy of making room for one more on Christmas Day. Show me who that person is.

Excerpted with permission from 365 Devotions for Living Joyfully, copyright Zondervan.

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Your Turn

Joy is a holy thing. And, it’s something we can share with our families until it’s part of our family DNA… that pours out to others. Just like Jesus! Come share your thoughts about making room for more joy this Christmas on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily