Merry? Happy???? Excuse Me!!

Merry Christmas, in this life what does merry really mean?
       Webster says it means,   delightful, giving pleasure, lightheartedness......
So for Christmas when we wish someone, or they wish us a Merry Christmas, it means to have a delightful, pleasureful and lighthearted time at Christmas.....But.... there are those of us who struggle with this season......people who are sick, in pain, grieving, sad, lonely, homeless, all sorts of struggles........what do we say to them? Sometimes is seems almost cruel to wish a Merry (lighthearted, delightful,...) Christmas to someone who struggles in life just to get through the day! What do we say to them?   I think of the old carol, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, What does this song mean? Have we

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

lost the meaning of Christmas completely? Is it about being Merry? Look at the words.......This is one of the oldest Christmas carols, going back to the 15th century.....
                                    This year I wish you comfort and joy in Jesus Christ our Lord! He came to give us Life in Him, Comfort and Joy will hold us as Merry never could in this life!

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     Also how about Happy New Year......... what is happiness anyway and where do we get it? Happy is a word that has to do with our circumstances in life. Sometimes as well, people are in circumstances in life that are hard, they are painful. What good does it do to wish them, happiness ?  Oh that we would wish each other, encourage each other with the word Joy this year! Joy comes from deep within our souls, given to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  God speaks of Joy throughout His Word! He gives us Joy unspeakable in Him! He says the Joy of the Lord is our strength! He commands us to be filled with Joy! Joy comes from Him alone! Not this world, not our circumstances in life here and now! Joy is a true gift of God Himself!   This year, 2013, I wish you all Joy! Comfort and Joy! May we all find ourselves wrapped in His Joy this year!
                         He came for this reason, that we might receive the gift of the true Christmas. New Life in Jesus Christ! He holds this precious package, wrapped in love, out to us all! Open your heart to receive it this year if you have not done so before and truly live in 2013! No matter what comes your way! What a way to start a new year!
                            Tyler is now experiencing true Joy in the presence of our Lord Jesus!  Tidings of Comfort and Joy to you from Tyler's mom while we are here!