Joy is a three-letter word that refers to an emotion evoked by well-being, good fortune, or success. It is a feeling, an emotion, or a name associated with happiness, well-being, and a positive outlook on life. My name is Joy, a simple name, only three letters, and yet, it can at times feel like a heavy…
When you hear the word celebration, what words come to mind? I imagine many of us conjure up images of parties, events, balloons, decorations, food, and large gatherings. And while the word celebrate can be defined as marking something with festivities or parties. Search the word “celebrate” in Merriam-Webster, and you find the first two…
We have a sign that sits next to our nativity, “true love was born in a stable.” It’s difficult to imagine any greater love than God sending his only son to live with us on this earth. The definition of love is an intense feeling of deep affection. Yet if we only see love as…
Thanksgiving or gratitude are words commonly used throughout the season of Fall, especially in November. And then easily discarded, our focus moving toward hope, peace, and joy in a new season. Yet, gratitude is a concept best woven into our daily rhythms beyond one season. Thanksgiving is a word that might actually lead us on…
Our English word for peace holds meaning for more than one type of peace. Peace can refer to inner peace, tranquility, or outer peace, a state in which no war exists. The Hebrew word for peace, Shalom, refers to the appearance of calm and tranquility. In Greek, the word for peace Eirenen means unity and…
Mary, a young girl, was likely in the throws of planning her wedding, anticipating her future, when her life was interrupted. Having a baby out of wedlock could easily have left her feeling hopeless. Yet, when faced with the unexpected, Mary did not appear to lose hope. Instead, she responded to the angel, “Let it…
