Welcome my friend! Come on in & pull up a chair to enjoy a Christmas cuppa together. Today I have some real treats for us as we reflect upon the Christmas blues & joys that can be experienced at this time of the year.

I have a Christmas Spice tea, already brewed for us with the traditional flavours of Christmas. Accompanied by Macadamia shortbread, Cinnamon Spice cookies & mini Fruit Cakes with freshly homebaked mini  Cheese & Chive Muffins, just out of the oven, for those who prefer savoury with their tea instead of sweet, all gluten free of course.

Now were comfy & seated around the table with a tea set of white, green & red for our Tea Party with lights flickering over our Christmas tree, let’s begin.

I must admit that I was struggling to find some inspiration for our reflection this week. And almost entered the pre;

Christmas blues…

But, as I discussed it with my husband he suggested the following;

Finding Joy in this Season

I appreciated this advice, he indeed has become wise. Then it occurred to me why I’m lacking inspiration (which is most unlike me) I’m very tired after the many changes this year, shared in 2024 Change in Retrospect.

Finding Joy in the Season – Family Blessings

Over the last few weeks I’ve been armchair travelling with my daughter & her family as they enjoyed a family holiday in Switzerland.

Visiting the famous Swiss Christmas Markets & the Lindt Chocolate factory, where they enjoyed tasting chocolate fountains a little too much, they said, Lol!

They then made their way up to the Swiss Alps on the Glacial Express train, through snow covered mountains for a famous Swiss Cheese Fondue, sitting beside blazing fires with mugs of hot chocolate while viewing the Matterhorn (logo of Toblerone chocolate) for an early white Christmas before heading back to Australia.

A white Christmas is something we just don’t experience here in Australia with our very hot sultry Summer days at this time of the year.

It was an absolute joy to watch the videos & see the photos of their family time together. It has been my daughter’s dream since she was a little girl to do this & I feel blessed as her Mama to have witnessed God blessing her in such a way.

And the blessings keep coming…

It’s also been a joy & a blessing;

• To witness my youngest granddaughter, who has special needs, perform in her Circus Gym end of year showcase then receive a trophy for her effort! 
• To cheer my eldest grandson on, as he went off to Teen Missions, for a second time, to serve the Lord for the next six weeks, sacrificing Christmas with the family to do so.
• To see my second grandson recieve an Award for coming first in his Year 11 Electronics Industrial Technology subject.
• Having a special time of celebration with my second granddaughter who has just reached her 21st birthday! She wanted a low key family picnic by the sea with Fish & Chips, then for dessert Nanny’s (my) Double Choc gf Brownies.

It’s about being Joyful in the Season

The biggest joy of all though is remembering what this celebration is all about, God’s promised Redeemer;

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1: 25 NLT

The promise which was totally & completely fulfilled through the birth of Jesus Christ, our Messiah. And that is the eternal gift to be extremely joyful & grateful for in this season & in all seasons.

May you have a very blessed Christmas this year my friend!

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

or in Prayer

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© 2024 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved. Photo by Jill Wellington on pexels.com

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