Dear Dr. Swisher, Is it possible to find true Joy and Peace this Christmas?  Gina, Toledo

Hi Gina. Thank you for this deep and heartfelt question. Let me first wish you and all of our readers a very Merry Christmas Day! May this be a very special and meaningful day for each of you.   

I sense an underlying thread to your question that may speak to our larger readership. For several reasons, many people are feeling anxious, sad and frustrated at this time of year. This could be related to job loss, death of a loved one or health challenges.   

Amid these difficulties Joy and Peace at Christmas are still possible. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Encourage Yourself….the Bible is full of encouraging stories that will help joy surge and peace dawn in your life. A great example is found in the New Testament book of Romans 15:13. “ May God the source of all Hope fill you with Joy and Peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident Hope.”
  • Help Someone Today…As you encourage yourself, pay it forward, and help someone today.  By shifting your attention to helping other people, you won’t just make them feel better, you’ll feel better about yourself too. 
  • Revisit Jesus Birth Story…You will find joy and peace today in the birth of Jesus Christ. Luke Chapter 2 reminds us “The Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem.” 

Despite what you may have lost this year you can find ultimate Peace and Joy in the greatest gift of all. The gift of Jesus that you can accept in this moment by simply praying “Jesus come into my heart. I want to believe in You.”

When you do this truly will be a Merry Christmas full of joy and peace.

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