Joy to the World

Yesterday, I went to the store to buy Christmas presents. The store was very, very busy! So many people! So many cars! I had to wait and wait and wait in a long, long line.

At first, I felt grumpy. "I don't like waiting!" I said. "This is taking too long!" Have you ever felt grumpy when you had to wait? Sometimes waiting is hard!

But then I heard something special. I heard Christmas music! "Joy to the world!" the music said. And I saw happy children playing while they waited with their mommies and daddies. They were laughing and having fun!

I remembered something important. Christmas is about Jesus! Jesus came to bring us joy. Joy means being really, really happy! When we remember Jesus, we can be happy even when we have to wait.

Today we light a special candle. It's the joy candle! See how bright and pretty it is? This candle reminds us that Jesus brings us joy. Jesus makes our hearts happy!

When you have to wait for something - maybe for your turn on the swing, or for dinner, or for Christmas - you can remember Jesus! You can sing happy songs! You can smile! You can be joyful because Jesus loves you!

Let's pray together: Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to make us happy. Help us remember Jesus when we have to wait. Fill our hearts with joy! Amen.