69. Is This Really The Season To Be Jolly?

by | Nov 29, 2022 | Podcast

Christmas is less than four weeks away! I’m not quite sure how that happened, but here we are. In today’s episode we pause to ponder this season and we ask the question, “It this really the season to be jolly?” Because in past years, maybe it hasn’t been. In past years maybe it’s been anything but jolly. But this year can be different. If you’re looking for some hope and encouragement in this season, well, this episode is for you.

Is This Really the Season to Be Jolly? | woman wrapping Christmas gifts with head in hands looking frustrated

I’ll let you in on a little secret:

Christmas is my favorite.

By far, hands down, it’s my favorite holiday. I still get all giddy and excited for Christmas. Everything about it permeates my heart with joy. And the season leading up to it fills me with anticipation and wonder.

Yet, sadly, I’ve been known to miss Christmas altogether. Yes, someone who loves Christmas has been known to miss it altogether. Oh, I was physically present, but some years distractions snatched my attention away from what was important, and I missed the significance of the season. Other years I hustled and bustled to the point I ended up sick on Christmas. And the year my mom died ten days before Christmas was heartbreaking. Needless to say, it was difficult to celebrate that year.

But through all these experiences, I learned many lessons. One is this:

I never want to miss Christmas again.

I assume you don’t want to miss it, either.

And maybe you’re like me. You’ve missed your fair share of Christmases, and you know how it feels. And you never want to feel that way again.

But the thing is, Christmas was never meant to be a holiday to stress us out. It’s not to distract us. And it’s certainly not here to increase our loneliness or sadness. We look at why in this episode.

Because isn’t this the season to be jolly?

The famous Christmas carol, Deck the Halls, says it is. We hear the words, we may even sing them, but do we live them out? We sometimes replace the “season to be jolly” with other words, such as stressed, broke, exhausted, overwhelmed.

But this year I’m returning to the heart of the holiday now. An I invite you to join me. I invite you to bring back the jolly with me in this season to be jolly.

Click on the player above to listen to the full 15-minute episode.

Maybe this will be the year Christmas will be a little more peaceful, a little less stressed, and a whole lot more joyful. And maybe in this season to be jolly we’ll experience a closeness to our Savior we’ve not quite experienced before. Because isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Celebrating the hope we have through Jesus? Let’s return our hearts to the reason for the season.

Links in this episode:

Encouragement for Real Life Podcast, episode 69, Is This Really the Season to Be Jolly?
Previous Post
Next Post

Looking for more?

Enter your email to instantly access my FREE RESOURCES - exclusively for my readers!

Your information is safe with me and will never be shared.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Related posts

Thanks for stopping by.

I’d love to hear from you!

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Just for you!

Real encouragement, updates, and free resources from me. 

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Julie Lefebure
Is This Really the Season to Be Jolly? | woman wrapping Christmas gifts with head in hands looking frustrated
Encouragement for Real Life Podcast, episode 69, Is This Really the Season to Be Jolly?
Summer of Abundance Week 3: Stay Close to Your Source | summer hat, camera, shells on beach
Finding Abundance in the Unexpected with Reverend Barbara Furman
Summer of Abundance Week 2: Train Your Thoughts for Truth | sand, beach hat, sunglasses, camera, shells
Some women believe surrendering is stifling, or restrictive, or demeaning. Nothing could be more untrue.

When we surrender our will and lives to Jesus, it's then when we find true, abundant life.

What's one area of life you can surrender into His capable hands today?

For more, listen to episode 205 of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast.

#abundantlife #summerofabundance #surrenderedlife #reallifefaith #truelife
I used to think surrender was scary.
Now I know what’s really scary…
Me in charge of everything. 😂

Surrender isn’t giving up—it’s getting peace.
Getting direction.
Getting the abundant life I couldn’t create on my own.

Here’s your permission to stop carrying what you weren’t meant to hold. 🙌

Listen to episode 205 of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast for more on this subject. 

#abundantlife #womenoffaith #christianencouragement #faithinreallife  #letgolivefree
Are we holding on tightly or letting go?

Abundant life is a free life- living, breathing, and trusting God has everything under control.

Comment AMEN if you agree.

#abundantlife #freelife #letgo #trustGod #reallifefaith
I hear numerous women say they want to grow their relationship with God, but they aren't sure where to begin.

Sound familiar? 

It's not complicated or difficult. Try these rhythms for yourself and watch your relationship with God grow.

Which one speaks the most to you?

#abundantlife #reallifefaith #dailyrhythms #relationshipwithGod
#faithlife
Control was never meant to be our burden. 😬

We'll allow God to be in charge instead. (Because really, who are we fooling thinking we're in control, anyway?) 😉

Add your favorite emoji if you agree. 😊

Listen to episode 205 of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast for more. 

#wearenotcontrolfreaks #releasecontrol #letgoandletGod #abundantlife #encouragementforreallifepodcast
Just a reminder…

Your worth isn’t measured by your productivity, your title, your home, or your highlight reel.

You are valuable because you belong to the One who made you.

That’s it. That’s everything. 💛

#abundantlife  #youareHis #christianencouragement #womenoffaith #truthoverlies
Are you living the abundant life you were designed to live? 🌿

All summer long on the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast, we are exploring what a full life is really all about. 💫

I'd love for you to join us.

You'll receive hope for today through practical insights, truth for tomorrow from biblical teaching, and  encouragement for your real life in each episode. Plus, the free Summer of Abundance Companion Pages guide you to reflect on what you're learning and apply it to your real life. 💛

In tomorrow's episode, 205, we explore the 4th element of abundant living: Spiritual Surrender. It may not be what you think! 🏳️‍

It's not too late to hop in, right where you are! Find the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Even on YouTube. New episodes drop on Tuesdays. 🎧

I look forward to journeying with you this summer! 🌞

#summerofabundance #podcastseries #abundantlife #reallifefaith #livefully
You don’t have to do more, be more, or rush harder to live fully.

Sometimes abundant life is hidden in the slow, ordinary moments—
where peace meets presence and grace waters your soul.

✨ This moment? It counts.

#abundantlife #faithinreallife #slowdownandlive #christianencouragement #womenoffaith #sacredordinary
Share This