Tis’ the season of joy, a joy that must be tapped into and “worked,” much like tapping into raw syrup from a maple tree and then laboring it through a boiling process that produces its heavenly sweet end.

Joy takes a bit of effort, but its sweet ending releases a euphoric affect on the human spirit, the ambrosia of heavenly food that spiritually satiates the soul, delivering indescribable happiness and peaceful content to those who experience it.

Joy can be fleeting or take up permanent residence in the heart and become the dependable remedy that gets us all through  dismal despair or difficult times.

Fleeting joy can easily be described by those who believe material possessions provide them with the basis of happy sustenance. The problem is, once the joy of shopping is over and the bills must be paid, life coldly reverts back to the harsh reality of daily life. For the wealthy elite, spending marathons produce material gifts packed full of fleeting joy, a manufactured love packaged with a return policy.

Sustained joy must be worked at, beginning with steadfast faith that recognizes the inceptive source of everlasting joy, Jesus Christ. It is a faith that understands daily joy comes from repeated practice and from knowing joy is fueled by unselfish, charitable giving and kind acts of the heart that do not seek recompense or award, but instead are quiet deeds which ignite the spark of joy in another’s life.

Americans have aways been the most charitable people on earth, for good reason. The desire to give back is ingrained in the American DNA, for living in a nation that God has so richly blessed makes its citizens feel fortunate and eager to share their good fortune.

Unfortunately, for the last eight years, charity that has emanated from the oval office has been politically motivated, a disdainful disfunction of generosity and goodwill. On the global stage, billions of American dollars have been sent to aid foreign governments whose leaders utilize the funds for their own selfish and nefarious purposes instead of humanely helping their poor populations.

Here at home, it is especially disgraceful this Christmas season to hear of the continued uncharitable mistreatment of our Veterans, those courageous members of our military who spent many Christmas’ overseas without their loved ones, just so we could, today, enjoy a warm and safe Christmas with our loved ones.

Last week there was yet another tragic story of a mistreated Veteran who literally rotted away due to gross medical negligence, a courageous man who fought for America, only to be mistreated and die in his own beloved country because of a lack of competence, compassion and care!

Americans voted for change and are hopeful that the new Trump administration will not only improve the lives of Veterans, but will also return honor and dignity back to the military and put an end to the secular purging of God, for what victorious battle has ever been won without prayer and His intercessory assistance?

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is a popular English lullaby, the lyrics adapted from the “Star” poem written by Jane Taylor. Stevie Wonder’s musical version is especially wonderful!

Every American has boundless, joyful gifts to give….millions of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me” moments that can enrich the lives of others and make their wishes come true! Let’s shine bright for our cherished Veterans and Troops this Christmas season!

May God Bless our Troops and Vets!

Below is just a sampling of programs set-up to help our Vets, either by volunteering or by donation!  Please help make a Vets life more joyful this Christmas season!

http://militarybenefits.info/how-to-help-veterans-during-the-holidays/
• American Legion
• Cars for Veterans – Car donations help fund programs
• Disabled American Veteran (DAV) – Assists disabled veterans, veterans, their families, their widowed spouses
• Elks Lodge – Dedicated Elks volunteers put their passion for serving veterans into action through through many veterans programs including Adopt-A-Veteran, Freedom grants, VA voluntary service and more.
• Help our Wounded –  Delivers much needed support, direction and assistance to the caregivers of seriously wounded soldiers and the troops themselves
• Honor Flight
• Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America – IAVA leads the charge on combating veteran suicide, improving support for female veterans, ending the VA disability claims backlog, and defending veterans’ education benefits.
• Operation Home Front – Helps the families of service members and wounded warriors
• National Coalition for Homeless Veterans – Assists veterans in crisis.
• Red Cross – Services for Veterans.
• Salvation Army – For services in your area, contact your local Salvation Army.
• Semper Fi Fund – The Semper Fi Fund, and its program America’s Fund, provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post 9/11 wounded, critically ill and injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families, ensuring that they have the resources they need during their recovery and transition back to their communities
• Soldiers Angels – This program assists patients at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. This support can range from visiting patients to providing comfort items (like blankets and quilts) and clothing, to sponsoring special events like BBQs or assisting VA facilities with large-scale efforts to improve in-patients’ quality of life.
• VA Search – Find local VA hospitals and more
• VA Volunteer Services – Volunteer or donate your time to the VA Voluntary Service
• Veterans of Foreign Wars – The VFW offers a wide range of assistance programs aimed at helping veterans.
• Vets Christmas Ride
• USO