(published in the Advent Devotional of Bethel United Methodist Church, December 2020)
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. – Psalm 51:12 ESV
Adopting our daughter from overseas was, of course, a blessing to me and my then-husband, but also to our extended families. They couldn’t wait to meet her! I remember our first big holiday where most of the aunts, uncles and cousins got to meet her was Thanksgiving. The most amusing memory we all seem to share and chuckle about through the years is how Dasha LOVED blueberries and how everyone enjoyed picking all the blueberries out of their fruit salads to give to her. Kind of like a “welcome to the family” ceremony…the sharing of the blueberries. (haha) Her little fingers and mouth couldn’t seem to get enough of them.
Do you remember the first time you “met” Jesus and asked Him into your heart? Remember what peace, joy and excitement you had with this new-found friend? Remember how you wanted to know Him more and more each day and share this new relationship with friends and family so they too could experience that same joy and hope?
After the lights come down, and the nativity set and baby Jesus are stored away for another year, may we not forget the true meaning of Christmas, which is a celebration of the fact that Jesus Christ wants to be YOUR and MY best friend! May we never take that for granted or forget the joy of our salvation and the thrill of all that means in our lives! May we never be able to seem to get enough of JesusDear Lord, Thank You for coming into the world as a babe and entering our hearts as our awesome Lord but also our closest friend. May we never forget the joy of our salvation. Amen.
