Meditate, exercise, call a friend or watch a funny movie.  All of the aforementioned are adequate ways to combat a moment of feeling down or looking for some relief from emotional stress.  However, what happens when there is a string of situations adding stress or duress to life's journey?  How do you find joy in the midst of grief or a scary life transition?  Happiness is one thing,  but living a life of joy is another.

 

Christmas helps us understand the journey to living a life of joy.  As Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds each had different experiences during the first Christmas it is comforting to see how each of us can gain an understanding of the journey necessary to experience a joyous life.  We see from their experience that we must be unafraid of risks, use what we have, and understand our position in order to experience joy in our lives.