Nearly Missing Noel
We host a Christmas Lights Scavenger hunt party from time to time. This was actually the 1st time I’ve hosted it since 2019. I couldn’t believe it had been that long. But with the divorce, hearts needing to mend and grieve it never felt peaceful or right to host it again. Until this year. Things are more peaceful and I can say that I truly see Jesus in the season once again.
At the start of this party, I hand out lists of things to find in neighborhoods around town. This year it included, a giant elf, Noel sign, Joy sign and many other things. 1st of all sorry guys for not knowing the giant elf was deflated that night. Lol but his absence made for some comical stories when everyone returned back to my home for hot chocolate and cookies.
My crew loads up as soon as everyone leaves my yard, we put out the “We were 1st sign” and even though we don’t play for the prize. We do still go around and scavenger hunt. One thing that we kept seeing was the signs that said “JOY”. They were in abundance!!
In true Christmas festive cheer, really you can find joy in many things within the season. This could include smells from the kitchen taking you back to childhood in grandma’s kitchen. It could be smiles from your children on the stage singing their little hearts out. Oh, or what about the photo you’ve been longing to take and you finally got to. It could be the purchasing of a gift for someone who really wants or needs said item. That warm moment when your kid comes home from deployment. Or the moment your kid sees Santa and they light up.
We saw probably a half dozen JOY signs within 45 minutes and from the back seat of my truck, the youngest says, “Mom where is Noel?”
We looked for a little while, went home before our guests came back and decided we would just tell everyone it was ok if they didn’t find it.
And would you know, that as soon as I sent that text to our guests, I started getting photos and messages saying, “We finally found Noel!!”
I knew when I started getting those messages, that it was going to be my message for this week. How many times do we get wrapped up in the season, and even though we find the Joy…we end up missing “Noel”? I’m guilty of this. I can’t even say that I’m not. But what a beautiful picture of grace too, all wrapped up in the holiday season.
Furthermore, for my history buffs, Noel comes from the Latin root word, natalis, which translates to birth, or the First Birth. The Hebrew translation was Nolad El or Norad El, meaning Born of God or God is born. The French have the name Noel, directly translating to Christmas.
Whichever translation you follow, in my heart of hearts for me, it means the Jesus being born.
I pray that in the remainder of this holiday season; you’ll not only find joy but you’ll also find Noel.
I pray you all have a very Merry Christmas.
Jamie Zenteno Ministries
#christmas #joy #noel #jesus #ministry
