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Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Joy to the WORLD.

Elissa Croslin

Dec 26, 2016

Norman, Oklahoma

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I imagine that most of you know what tomorrow is. It's Jesus' Birthday (AKA Christmas)!!! I hope as you finish wrapping that last present, or as you add those couple of marshmallows to your hot chocolate, you remind yourself of the real reason for this holiday season and all it encompasses: Jesus.

Jesus Christ came to Earth to be the Light of God, and I think rather than presents, cake, and balloons, Jesus wants us demonstrating our affections for Him by spreading that light, and we shouldn't just spread this love and joy to only Christians, but rather, every person we encounter!

God blessed each and every one of us beyond belief, and we should spread our gifts and talents to praise Him in any ways we can. Try and donate a little time or money (if you can) at some point this holiday season, but more importantly, be kind and love everyone like Jesus did.

I really love how church services give out candles before and during Christmas. It's like we really are symbolizing the light God brought to the world, along with the light inside all of us, and we get to spread that light to each person (kind of like passing the fire from candle to candle).

Do you ever just sit and think about how cool it is people all over the world celebrate one person's birthday? Plus, they do so by giving each other presents and (hopefully) bringing in an overall air of joy! I think while Jesus appreciates all the stockings, Christmas trees, lights, and glitter, what He really wants for us is cuddling up to our friends and family and telling them just how much they mean to us.

Kind of like THE greatest Christmas movie of all time (Elf), we welcome in Jesus every year with decorations and paper snowflakes, kind of like how Buddy the Elf invites Santa, but it's important we remember through this holiday, we should devote all this time worshipping and praising Him for all He has done for us now and throughout the year.

I hope sometime today, or in the coming days, you take a moment to pray. That prayer could look like anything really, but maybe it could just be a prayer of thanks for all He blessed you with this last year. Just try to remind yourself today is not your birthday, and it really doesn't matter if today and tomorrow aren't all you hoped for because you don't really need that new sweater or that new watch, but the world does need a whole lot more love and joy, which you do have.

Also, did I mention those things are free to share? Reach out to people you sometimes neglect or don't talk to. It makes you feel good and them, too! Just remember in the end, Jesus is overjoyed with all we do for him and all we are. Spread that light and joy!

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and of course, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

Luke 2:14 - "Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God."

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Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Joy to the WORLD.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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