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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

December is always a busy time here at The Clanton Advertiser.  

Stress can mount as multiple special sections and magazines are in the works. The Christmas tree I can see from my desk adds some cheer, but moments of calm can be rare.

Listening to my favorite Christmas songs can help me to refocus in the hustle and bustle of work and the holiday season. On a recent morning, I listened to the Carrie Underwood and Michael W. Smith song “All Is Well.”  I love the sound of this song. It has a calming effect, and its message is so important at this time of year. It is a celebration of praise that because Jesus came “darkness fell, Into the dawn of love’s light.”

No matter how stressed I may get with last minute plans, wrapping presents and end of the year deadlines, everything eventually gets done. My former boss, Brandy Clackley, used to always reassure me of this about all of the special sections we do in this season. She had a calm that she operated in. Something that each year I strive for, but have not yet quite reached.

Recently, I have been thinking about perspective. Projects or decorating to do lists are temporary things. If everything does not go perfectly, it is not the end of the world. Hard work and planning will get the projects done in time. Stress will not make it faster. If all the decorations did not make it up this year or your dessert plans fell to pieces, your family and friends can still enjoy the celebration of just being together.

On a more important life scale, Christmas is a great time to reflect on that all of the hard work and planning in the world could never make everything well between me and God. My sin would always separate me, like being on the opposite side of the Grand Canyon.

But Jesus came to be fully God and fully man, to tell about God’s love for people in a way we could understand and to eventually die on a cross and rise from the dead to make forgiveness possible for anyone who asks.

This is great news! This makes me want to celebrate.

Because of what Jesus did, all can be well with my life when I turn to him. And the same great Christmas gift is available to everyone.