Writing about faith and connection to help ease the ache of loneliness. Subscribe to Drawing Near for weekly(ish) inspiration.
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Drawing Near #55🤩
Published 2 months ago • 4 min read
You are reading the 55th issue of Drawing Near, a newsletter to encourage connection and soften the ache of loneliness. Each week, you'll receive inspiration for connecting with God, yourself, and the people around you. To see previous issues, go to our newsletter page.
For December, each week's email has a theme to go with the season. The first three themes were light, comfort, and peace. You can click those links if you missed them!
Today's Theme: Joy
The day after Christmas is probably not your most joy-filled day. Usually I feel a little down in the dumps with no routine, stuff everywhere, too much sugar, and no idea what we're supposed to be doing. After the peak of joy on Christmas Day, December 26th feels empty.
But did you know in the infamous "12 Days of Christmas," today is only day two of Christmas? Christmastide is just beginning!
In Scripture, we're encouraged to find joy no matter our circumstances. But how is that possible? Our joy is found in our relationship with God. Keep reading for ideas to bring some joy into these last days of 2025!
Connect with God
📖Read Psalm 16:
1 Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” 3 I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” 4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.
5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
🙏🏻Say a prayer to God thanking Him for His presence in your life, for the joy His closeness brings, and the eternal status of that relationship.
Connect with Yourself
✍🏼Take some time to journal using these prompts (or just think on them and invite God in with prayer):
When have you felt joy in this holiday season?
Who has brought joy into your life recently?
What activity make you feel joyful every time you do it?
What can you do to bring some joy into the last few days of 2025? Need some ideas? Dance, sing songs that make you happy, go see Christmas lights, watch your favorite movie, make something...
What characteristics of God brings you joy?
Read Romans 15:13 and consider how God fills you with joy and peace, and what is their connection to hope?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Connect with Others
💗Can you think of someone in your life who needs joy? Let's be real, who couldn't use an extra dose of joy in their lives?! Pray that you can be a beacon of joy for those that you cross paths with this week. Then see if any of these ideas feel like a natural next step:
Think of someone you could celebrate, then send them a congratulations message! A text, a card, a gift, or balloons are all good choices. Find the one that feels right to you.
Tell someone something good that happened to you.
Did you know polka dots inspire joy? Find something with polka dots and gift it to someone—a card, book, journal, cosmetic bag, blanket, hat, shirt, anything!
Make a playlist of happy songs and share with a friend and say this is my "2026 Happiness Playlist."
Make your favorite dessert and share it with someone.
Start a snowball fight (if you get snow)—or play a game with someone.
🖤If you have a hard time finding joy right now, find someone you can talk to. Often by sharing what's hard in our lives, we find relief just by expressing it.
Joyful Extras
📝If you want to focus on joy in 2026, find a Bible study to help you. Here is A Joy that Endures from the Daily Grace Co.
⭐️A colorful page brings me joy! Try these highlighters with reminders of the joy, rest, and hope we find in Him.
💌Download, print, and send a "Joy to the World" card from my Etsy shop, Drawing Near Paper Studio! If you feel like it's too late to send that card, send this polka dotted thank you card instead.
🎶 Listen to songs with themes of joy (these links will take you to YouTube):
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