Let There Be ... JOY!

Wow! Sunday was such a special way to kick off our Advent celebration of JOY for the week! I want to take a moment to thank all of the staff and volunteers who come together every year to make our UnPageant truly unforgettable! In the afternoon, we set sail across Lake Coeur d’Alene on a beautifully brisk journey to the North Pole. It was a boatload of fun! To our kids and families, thanks for bringing your joy and excitement to these fun traditions 

Kierstie Renninger

and celebrations of the Christmas season.

​As I reflect on the gifts we celebrate throughout the Advent season, I love inviting JOY into the season of hustle and bustle; it’s a season where I tend to experience many of the emotions of our human existence. For me, in the reflection of pain and sadness that often comes up at the holidays, is a deep gratitude and joy. It’s gratitude and joy for those we’re missing around the table because they were here and loved us so well. At Christmas, we celebrate a God who entered the world as a baby, to experience life WITH US and redeem us from death. What hope, peace, and JOY come with the celebration of a God who loves us in such a tangible way. 

This week’s Advent Challenges are probably two of my favorites. Our family loves music, and we love to have a good ole family dance party in the living room. It brings me much joy to watch our daughter dance with pure jubilation. We also LOVE receiving Christmas cards each year! Our daughter loves looking at pictures of friends and families she recognizes from real life, and we tell her stories about the friends she has yet to meet. Then, I hang them up on the wall and there they stay… until this year. Part of this week’s Advent Challenge is to take those cards off the fridge, or wherever you have them, and take a moment to pray for each of those families that sent you well wishes this Christmas season. Just as they have brought JOY in sharing their lives with you, you can pray blessings of JOY for their family as well. What a fun and intentional way to pray for and with JOY, in our season of waiting for the Light of the World! 

Joyful blessings, Kierstie