I was about 13 that year. And, we needed a sled. Well, we thought we needed a sled. Well, really, I thought I needed a sled.

We owned 40 acres of ground where I grew up. Right in the middle of that 40 acres was a hill that was close to 70 foot in elevation. On the flat lands of corn country in Northwest Indiana, it looked like a mountain. I needed a sled.

And, much to my surprise, come Christmas day, I got a sled, Well, "we" got a sled. It was one of those 3 person share gifts that were pretty common from my parents to their 9 children. The rest of "we" were my younger brothers, Jim and Mart. I was 13, they were 9 and 8. Guess who thought he was "in charge."

Actually, we did pretty well with sharing the fun and excitement of the new sled that first winter. It was the next winter that we decided to move our sledding to a spot about 200 yards away from where we usually enjoyed the sled. Inspired by the bobsled runs of the Olympic coverage, we decided that the sledding needed a few obstacles such as fences, trees, and moguls. Our nice new sled didn't survive the 7 inch oak which was necessary to negotiate halfway down the hill.

I still have a tooth whose jagged edge reminds me of that experience.

Well, "we" patched the sled back up and ran it some more, but, it was never again quite the same sled. And, when mogul jumps and posts for barb wire fences were added into the mix, the sled didn't last long.

The sled was actually but a symbol of our joy. It was a great symbol, but "we" didn't take care of it. We didn't appreciate it enough. We "lost" it.

Today, Jesus is our JOY!!! Our relationship with Him will last forever, even over the moguls, under the fences and around the trees of our lives. But, not unlike the sled, that relationship needs our attention, our care, our feedback and participation. When WAS the last time you told Jesus how happy His presence in your life makes you?

It's so easy to look at lights, tinsel and garland and be awed by the Christmas spirit. Help me to remember to live in your Joy as I live in Your blessings. You DO make a difference in my life that I can explain in no other way than by giving You the praise for what you have done and continue to do. I love You, Lord. Thank You for the Joy that You bring. It is always real. And, I need it so much.