Narda Reid
- Dec 20, 2023
- 2 min read

Shout for Joy!

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; …" Psalm 65:11

"Tis the season to be jolly!

Tra-la-la-la-la-lala-la-la!

Deck your minds with Christ most holy!

Tra-la-lal-a-la-lala-la-la!

Let me stop while I still can,

Tra-la-lal-a-la-lala-la-la!

Christ… best gift from God to man,

Tra-la-lal-a-la-lala-la-la!"

December is the most festive month of the year all around the world. People celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and a whole slew of holidays that may and may not have anything at all to do with Christ. Yet this season is fraught with so much joy, excitement, love, kindness, and great expectations.

Families and friends trudge through snow, rain, and hail; wait in long airport lines, and endure oceans, rivers, and seas, traveling miles to sing, laugh, play, cry, cuddle, exchange gifts, and share all sorts of stories. Everyone, from the smallest to the oldest, the poorest to the richest gathers and enjoys above all the beauty and the warmth of finally being together. For the Christian, the overarching warmth that drizzles into each soul like a glass mug filled with hot, warm, honey-roasted, sweet chocolate-like carob topped with coconut non-dairy whipped cream, sprinkled cinnamon graced with delicious, succulent red cherries …is that Christ is present as the guest of honor.

This year as December dashes to the finish line and the new year looms like a tsunami, a giant mountain, or a parted Red Sea promising many new adventures, opportunities, challenges, hope, and many good things… keep your family close but Christ even closer.

Reflect on all the ways that He has led you not just this year, but from birth until now. Don’t just stop there, but daydream about how gloriously wonderful it will be when you gather with all those who love Him, Heaven’s family, in that future never-ending holiday.

Before I go, let me share 7 passages of scripture that have given me the greatest hope, joy, and resilient Faith in God in 2023. I pray that they will encourage you too. (Click each link below for a mental boost).

"The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head."

Throughout the year, things may have been a roller coaster, but such is life! But the one thing that consistently kept me from being mentally and emotionally overwhelmed is reading, studying, and trusting God’s Word. (Let me tell you a little secret… it still does).

In the Bible, you will find many moments to CELEBRATE past victories, present blessings, and promises still to come. Until we celebrate in Heaven…count it all joy!

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness [abundant blessings]….the little hills rejoice on every side…they shout for joy, they also sing.

Psalm 65:11-13