This month’s theme is Joy, and fittingly, it arrives in December—the season when “Joy to the World” plays on repeat, “Let It Snow” paints images of magic, and the landscape feels alive with wonder. We imagine snow blanketing the ground, sleigh bells ringing, and even the charm of a horse-drawn carriage—scenes as timeless as a Norman Rockwell painting or a Currier and Ives print (for those of us who remember).
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” captures the spirit of the season perfectly. Just as Thanksgiving invites us to pause in gratitude, Christmas calls us into joy and the hope of peace on earth.
For parents of young children, this time of year often means tireless searching—high and low—for that perfect gift, the one that will light up their child’s face with pure delight. As a parent now to an older teen and a twenty-year-old, I still remember those days so clearly: the anticipation, the excitement, and the unforgettable joy of watching my children open the gift they had been dreaming about for weeks.
But how do we carry that same sense of joy in our hearts throughout the other seasons of life?
Yesterday, I was gently reminded of what pure JOY feels like. I was traveling to Cary, North Carolina, for yet another soccer tournament with my son—the last one of the season. While he rested at the hotel, I decided to wander downtown. I love exploring new towns when we travel, taking in the rhythm and personality of a place.
There was an undeniable buzz in the air—people laughing, gathering, hurrying toward something exciting. To my delight, I soon realized it was the Cary Christmas Parade. My heart instantly lifted. I had missed two parades back home due to travel, so stumbling upon this one felt like a small gift just for me.
As an observer, I watched people come together—sharing hugs, reconnecting, and soaking in the holiday spirit. That alone brought me joy. Christmas music played softly in the background, festive decorations lined the streets, and soon the parade began. The crowd cheered, and the participants beamed with pride as they marched by.
Much like in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, my heart felt as though it grew two sizes that day. Girl Scouts marched past, laughing with smiles as wide as the sky. Bright-eyed children lined the streets, dressed in every kind of festive attire imaginable—princess dresses, Grinch pajamas, reindeer antlers—each one radiating wonder and delight.
That evening, I took my son and his friend back downtown so we could see the Christmas lights. I remember thinking to myself, this will probably be so lame for them. But when I looked over, I saw the very same joy and excitement I had witnessed in the children earlier that morning.
They stood in awe of the oversized, colorful ornaments hanging from the trees. The town Christmas tree towered nearly forty feet high. People gathered around community fire pits, sipping hot cocoa—or perhaps a festive libation—while children, likely fueled by sugar and exhaustion, were having the time of their lives. It felt like the perfect Hallmark moment… though I must admit, I was a little surprised there wasn’t a skating rink.
So what is joy, really, when it comes down to it?
It’s about community. It’s about love. It’s about celebrating the little things and cheering one another on. It’s about sitting with people you care about, wrapped in warmth, sharing hot cocoa by a fire. It’s about gifts—not always the expensive kind—but the ones that quietly say, I was thinking of you, or offering something you already have to someone else.
Joy is about slowing down and strolling without urgency, taking in the sights and sounds around you. It’s about being present. About opening your eyes to the world with the same wonder as a small child.
And joy doesn’t have to be reserved for Christmas, the holidays, or birthdays. It’s something we can choose to notice, create, and share—every single day if we allow ourselves.
Happy Holidays everyone and a wonderful New Year!
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