Christmas is the time of year when we wish our family, friends, followers and supporters a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

In our Hollywood culture “Merry Christmas” tends to mean:

• visions of sugar plums,
• dreams of a white Christmas,
• being home for the holidays, a home filled with:
• beautiful decorations,
• lovely gifts,
• kitchens filled with fabulous aromas and lots of food,
• a glowing fireplace.

All this so warms the heart and gives us temporary happiness.

However, not everyone is so fortunate. Some are:

• lonely,
• in poor health, sick and dying,
• jobless and do not have money to buy gifts,
• some might even be homeless, cold and hungry.

In my book Island Girl: A Triumph of the Spirit, I share that “the true essence of the human heart is knowing the difference between happiness and joy.” Happiness is temporary like the Hollywood version of a “Merry Christmas” but joy is everlasting even in difficult circumstances. We all desire and need this kind of JOY especially at Christmas.

I was fortunate to learn about everlasting joy when I learned the meaning of the birth of the Christ Child, the meaning of his life, death and resurrection, and the meaning of a personal relationship with Christ as our Lord and Savior and our dearest friend.

It is in him that we can have a “joy like none other has ever known.” I invite you to read my story to learn how you too can find this special joy for yourself. Don’t leave this gift under the Christmas tree. An unopened gift is worthless. This is a free gift from God himself, full of lasting treasures. Open it for the most “JOYOUS” and meaningful Christmas you will ever have.