Twelve Days of Wonder

Day 4 - Delight

One, two three... smile everyone.

Christmas is a time of joyful anticipation.  It comes from spending time with loved ones, exchanging gifts, and enjoying the tempting smells from the kitchen—even if someone sneaks a treat or wants to lick a spoon full of batter.

Rebellion never tasted so sweet!

We anticipate the upcoming Christmas season with the sincere expectation that it will be marked as a time of happiness and encouragement. However, there are moments when that joy feels distant. Tasks begin to pile up, sadness hangs in the air, and the world seems unsettled. All of this can leave our hearts feeling weighed down, making it hard to embrace the delight we hope for during this wonderful holiday.

And yet… delight is not the same as ease.

The First Christmas was not easy. Mary and Joseph were far from home, navigating uncertainty, discomfort, and fear. The birth of Jesus came not in a palace, but in a stable — raw, earthy, and unexpected. And still, there was delight: 

Luke 2:10–11 (Angels’ announcement):

...”for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:16–20 (Shepherds’ response):

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.”

Matthew 2:10–11 (Wise men from the east rejoice):

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy… and they fell down and worshiped him.”

Delight, it turns out, doesn’t wait for everything to be perfect. It arrives in the middle of the mess.  And yet, it is still possible to find a glimpse of hope among all that chaos.

So today, may we pause. May we notice the small, sacred joys: a child’s laughter, a warm mug, a remembered carol. May we let delight find us, even here.