“Tis the season to remember the gift of the savior born in a manger, to think of all his birth meant. I especially like the words of ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.’

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.

Refrain

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.

You can listen to the music and read the whole song here:

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/o/godrest.htm
This is a wonderful gift and certainly the cause of comfort and joy.
But I too often overlook the small things that bring comfort and joy. So for my own reminder I am going to list some of them.
1. The smell of soup simmering on the stove.
2. The smell of freshly baked bread.
3. A ‘window’ view of winter. (The rubber on the road reality of snow and ice and cold are not at all comforting.)
4. Good health.
5. Warm houses.
6. Good friends.
7. Family, especially grandchildren.
8. Flowers which seem to speak both comfort and joy to one’s soul.
9. A happy marriage.
10. Satisfying work. My writing is at times frustrating but if I view it from a dispassionate distance, it is a source of joy.
To turn the list back to the real meaning of the season, I am including a picture of one of my favorite creches. I bought this in Mexico one year while my sister and I were visiting my brother.
Enjoy the comfort and joy of the season.
(I’d love to hear what things bring you comfort and joy.)