When the dog bites. When the bee stings. When I'm feeling sad.
I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad.
Is that song really a Christmas song? I often hear Julie Andrews (and others) singing "My Favorite Things" on the radio this time of year, but never other times of the year. That leads me to believe this is considered a "Christmas" song, played with all the other Christmas music here in December. But what makes it specifically about Christmas? Is it the warm, woolen mittens? Packages tied up with strings? Sleigh bells and snowflakes? I am just not sure.
All that said I do enjoy the song, especially this time of year. Hearing it brings a smile to my face. It brings me joy.
In this third week of Advent, we have lit the pink candle of joy and asked where in the world today do we find joy. Sometimes, finding joy can be a challenge. We endure many bites and stings in our daily lives, not to mention all the sad troubles of the world around us. Is it disingenuous to suggest all we have to do is simply remember our favorite things and we won't feel so bad? Can this exercise in counting our blessings bring us joy?
It can, especially if we take it one step further and remember where these blessings originate. All around us, this time of year and throughout the year, we see the blessings of God, both in our favorite things and the favorite things of others. Remembering these gifts means remembering the giver, and remembering the giver means remembering that we are loved and we are not alone and there is more to this world than just our own troubles.
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!" When we remember the steadfast love and unending presence of God in our lives and in our world, we can rejoice always. When we remember the beloved community ushered into this world in the birth of the Christ-child, we discover joy. At any time of year and in any circumstances, these are a few of my favorite things.
What are some of your favorite things?
Worship This Week (and next)
Thursday, December 16, 6:30pm
Sunday, December 19, 10am
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Please wear a mask
Also through our Facebook page Here
Christmas Eve Worship at 4:00 & 7:00pm
Live stream 4:00pm
Drive up communion following each service (4:30 & 7:30) on Chapel St.
No Worship on December 26.
Keep In Prayer
Roger Schindler (Rev. Wendy's dad), Sherry Williams, Janet Santana
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