SAY 169 -- Tis the Seaon for ..............

So many things on my mind today.  We spent last night with family.  What a joy.  Of course they weren't all there.  But those who were there enjoyed good food, lots of it, and fellowship of each other.  My nephew reminded us all that today is Joseph Smith's birthday.  So we sang Praise to the Man.  As I was singing it, I again felt a strong desire to sit one day and just discuss with him his life, his visions, and his challenges he learned from, and how he loved my two direct ancestors with him, William Clayton and Edward Partridge.  I am sure he could give me great insight into those two ...grandfathers.

I also have been pondering about Father in Heaven.  When I paused last night, I enjoyed seeing my grand kids interact with each other, eat together, play with each other, and thoroughly being together.  It was a joy to this grand father.  I thought that our Eternal Father also thoroughly enjoys seeing His children get together and enjoy each other, overeat, and play together.  He feels peace and joy as we serve each other, enjoy each other, and praise each other. 

Then my mind shifts to that glorious day when we shall all be together as brothers and sisters either in the millennium and/or after this life in other realms, enjoying each other again after the veil is gone.  What a joyous reunion we shall enjoy there, with Father and Mother in Heaven, our Savior, and think of the glorious pumpkin pie we shall eat, and we may even enjoy fruit cake, with eternal fruit?

I have "No Man Is An Island" going through my mind, "The Slave is my Brother" and countless others passing through my great mind and giving me pause, comfort, and joy.  "We love one another, so I will defend each man as my brother, each man as my friend..."

What a joyous time of year to pause, remember Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, our own family and even extended family and those who have gone on before, laying the foundation of many of the blessings and comforts we enjoy today.  We celebrate by eating, gathering together, singing joyous songs, serving one another, playing, decorating trees, and even singing together. 

I love this season.  I must serve more, love more, and open myself to the joy that's floating around asking for a place to stay in my heart.  All I have to do is open a place for that joy and I shall feel it. I seek "fullness" of joy one day.