Led by Joyce Newmyer, our Saltworks team has come together to discuss the theme of Joy.  

We've curated a playlist of some of our favorite Christmas Carols and Sacred Songs, both old and new, that celebrate the Joyfulness of the Season.  

Joy to the world the Lord has come…

This famous line makes it into every Christmas tradition, and it should. Joy accompanies the understanding of the incarnation, or the enfleshment of God in human form. As incomprehensible as it is that God would condescend to be with us here on Earth, it is what we believe to be true. How did it happen, only God knows, but why? He makes it clear to us in so many ways.

John 14 comes to mind, with its ubiquitous language of relationship.  I think of John 3 and the famous “for God so loved….” statement. We know why he came; he came because he loves us. A realization that we are loved should and does always bring us joy.

From the love of our parents to the love of a partner, we are flooded with feelings of joy when we recognize and accept the love that is offered to us. And while there is “no greater love than one who lays down his life for another…” we don’t really even find joy from that kind of love. We find joy from any love that we accept as unconditional. . . (Read More)

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