• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

VBS SHOP

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • RSS Feed
  • Events
  • Curriculum
  • Training
Kids Ministry

Kids Ministry

Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples

  • Team
  • Blog

The Third Week of Advent: JOY!

December 17, 2012 | Kids Ministry

width=150My favorite Christmas carol is “Joy to the World.”  I think that hymn sums it all up for me and when we finally sing it at church, I know it’s Christmas!

Growing up someone once said that true joy can be found when one get’s his joy in order. A simple acrostic helps put your priorities in order and can really help you find joy this holiday season.

width=300

 

J – Jesus:  I know it’s an old saying but it’s the truth and we should never tire of focusing on Jesus at Christmas. Get this one right and everything else usually falls into place.  It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with all the “stuff” that the Christmas season brings but our challenge is to make sure that Jesus stays at the center of our Christmas celebrations and fun.

For me, that takes some intentional planning and preparation. Scheduling time with friends and family to not only exchange gifts, eat awesome food, and enjoy each others fellowship, but to stop and purposefully focus of The Gift we’ve been given through Christ Jesus. The focus can’t stop with His birth but quickly moves to His sacrifice resulting in the greatest gift ever given, salvation.

O – Others: Don’t misunderstand me here. I am very aware that Kids Ministers are most ALWAYS focusing on someone other than themselves, but I’m talking about looking for folks who might not be expecting your kindness and share with them a bit of Christmas joy.

Are there people in your community that you and your family could reach out to this season? What about the senior adults in your community who may be alone? What about those who’ve been severely affected by the ongoing recession? Perhaps you know someone who experienced death this year and is doing Christmas for the first time without their loved one. There are people all around us who are in need. Look for ways to express love to others. When you do, you\’ll be amazed at the joy it brings you.

Y – You:  Please note that YOU are on this list! Too many times we overlook ourselves and never get around to doing something nice for “me.” After you’ve got the “J” and the “O” straightened out, take some time for the “Y,” you! Carve out sometime this season to take care of yourself. Read a book; watch a movie; take a nap. Sometimes, we can’t find our joy because we’re too tired to look. Over the holidays schedule some time to relax and refresh so you’ll be refueled for the New Year.

Joy to the world the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing.

 Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love.

Category: Uncategorized
Previous Post: « Dealing with Children during Crisis
Next Post: Last-minute Volunteer Appreciation Gift Idea! »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lifeway Kids Newsletter

Get the latest news, events, and announcements straight to your inbox.

Sign Up
Kids Ministry 101 Magazine
Get The Digital Magazine
Get the Print Magazine
Kids Ministry Calling

Equipping Kids Ministry Leaders In Their Calling

Listen Now
ETCH with Chuck Peters

A NextGen Ministry Podcast

Listen Now

Subscribe to Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • RSS Feed

Copyright © 2025 · All Rights Reserved · Lifeway.com

Cleantalk Pixel