Rejoice in the Lord and Be Glad

One of my precious friends overseas sent me a Christmas Card with those words of Psalm 32:11.

It got me thinking. No matter what day it is, whether it is Christmas or New Year’s Eve or just any ordinary day, the Lord wants us to rejoice. Rejoice in what? In Him. And why? Because verse one of Psalm 32 says Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

This year’s Christmas is a different one for me.

i don’t have any plans yet (and yeah, i know it technically is already Christmas Eve here in the Netherlands). i’m not spending the 2,5 days with my family. Because i can’t. It puts too much pressure on me, and i’m still not completely recovered from my concussion, so yeah. Resting is my no.1 priority lately. And Christmas is not an exception.

Even my sweet guinea pig (Smarty) is not with me this year. She is with my parents because i’m still not feeling well enough to take care of her 24/7.

Am i sad because this years Christmas may be a kinda lonely one?

No. i’m not sad for me really.

It makes me think though. About all the homeless people i’ve seen the last year and i’m wondering what their Christmas will be like. i’m thinking about all the kids of broken homes. Will they be spending their Christmas with their mom or with their dad? i’m thinking about all the people in war zones (and there are many war zones these days). i’m thinking of the hungry and the poor. i’m thinking of the people in hospital, or the ones in a mental institution. What will their Christmas be like? Will they be able to rejoice, and be glad?

To rejoice is hard for me, too. But i want to do my best to rejoice in the Lord this day and all the days to come. For i believe His coming to this earth, His birth, His dying at the cross… Those are the things that really matter and really give me something: Hope.

So, i probably will be alone tonight. Maybe go to church if my headaches allow me ;)

But i will unwrap the gift my dear friend Beth sent me. And i will think about the gift my Lord and Savior gave me over 2000 years back.

Merry Christmas, my friends.

May you Rejoice in the Lord and be glad.
Whether you are with the ones you love,

or whether you are spending Christmas alone.

Remember you are always with your little group:

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

And the Lord says, that’s enough to rejoice in!