Many times I have been accused of finding humor in situations where there should be no humor. Aside from that one funeral years and years ago, I have learned to respect solemn occasions such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, church services, and choir performances.
I know there are lots of you out there who are just like me — ever ready with a giggle or a belly laugh. But I know that there are some of you out there who are perpetually grouchy. Holiday cheer does not cheer you. But I know that deep in your heart, you don’t want to be this way. Why not do one or two of the following suggestions and see if that helps lighten your mood this December?
While standing in those long lines at the cash register, start singing “Frosty the Snowman.” At first, people will try to ignore you. (I know this by personal experience.) However, by the time you get to “He led them ’round the streets of town right to the traffic cop,” some of the more daring will be singing with you. Encourage the rest to join as you sing, “And he only paused a moment when, he heard them holler ‘STOP!’” (Don’t forget to really holler “Stop!”).
Watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Then, think about the way things are “different” because you are alive. For instance, my parent’s lives would have been vastly different had I not been born. (They would have had more money and less gray hair.) Without me, my husband might have married that flighty creature he was dating before he met me. (Jealous? Me? Nah!) Remember that George Bailey’s angel, Clarence, said, “No one is born to be a failure. No one is poor who has friends.” After you realize your life has more value than you thought, open your front door and shout, “I LOVE YOU, BEDFORD FALLS!”
While sitting in your car at a traffic light, practice saying “Ho! Ho! Ho!” If the guy in the car next to you notices, roll down your window and give him your best “Ho! Ho! Ho!” When the light turns green, call out, “On, Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen. On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen!”
At least once a day, especially when in an elevator or while shopping for sweet potatoes, sing “Joy to the World.” Follow up with a rousing version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
As often as possible, quote Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Finally, today, and every day till Christmas, read Luke 2:1-20. Let the passage chase away thoughts of having a blue Christmas. Follow the example of the shepherds when they returned to their fields, “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Do these things as often as needed till your gloomy, grouchy, Grinchy, Scroogy attitudes disappear. Then, tonight, before you settle down for a long winter’s nap, speak aloud the perfect Christmas benediction: “God bless us, every one!”
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at
VrdSpeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: As often as possible, quote: ‘For to us a child is born …’
- Religion
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- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 24, 2013
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Get in touch with prayer at Body Prayer workshop
Could your prayer life use some invigorating? If so, the Body Prayer workshop offered by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, may be for you.
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THE JOY LADY: We are not in charge. God is. Get over it, already.
If I were in charge of the world, I would run things a bit differently.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 25, 2013
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my uncle and his family in Florida.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 20, 2013
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
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BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
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THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
Complainers never think they are in the wrong. How could they be when they know everyone else is so wrong?
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Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
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THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
There are all kinds of church attendees. Some attend church services once or twice a month, some once or twice a year. Some attend only Sunday morning worship.
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African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 30, 2013
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