Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the "Joy" Sunday. It feels strange to talk about Joy when the world feels heavy, or when there is an empty chair at your table this year. But biblical Joy is different from Happiness. • Happiness depends on Happenings (what is going on around you). • Joy depends on Him (who is living inside you). You can be grieving and still have Joy. You can be struggling and still have Joy. Joy is the quiet confidence that God is good, even when the season is hard. Prayer: Lord, give me a Joy that makes no sense to the world, because it is rooted in You.

As we get closer to gathering with family and friends, let’s talk about the "Them" category. In our Boundaries Protocol, we talk about the difference between your "Safe Room" (your inner circle) and your "Backyard BBQ" (acquaintances and extended family). Holiday drama often happens when we give "Backyard BBQ" people access to our "Safe Room" heart. Just because you are eating turkey at the same table doesn't mean you have to engage in deep emotional processing with everyone. It is okay to keep conversations light and polite with family members who have proven to be unsafe or critical. You can love them, but you can love them better with a boundary in place. - Protect your peace: You don't have to explain your marriage struggles, your parenting choices, or your political views to anyone who hasn't earned the right to hear them. - For those in a difficult season: If you are navigating separation or a hard patch in your marriage, decide ahead of time what you will and won't share. "We are working through some things, and we appreciate your prayers," is a complete sentence. Application Question: Is there a topic of conversation you need to put "off-limits" next week to protect your peace?

December has a way of hijacking our calendars if we aren't careful. Today, being the 1st, is your opportunity to play offense, not defense. Look at the next 31 days. Where are the "Have to's" and where are the "Want to's"? Remember our boundary principle: Every "Yes" to a "Them" obligation is a "No" to a "Me" or "We" opportunity. If your marriage or your mental health is in a fragile spot, you have permission to say "No" to the extra party, the cookie exchange, or the travel. Protect your core. Question: What is ONE thing you are intentionally saying "NO" to this month to keep your sanity?

Hey Connection Lab Group! We are kicking off the Silent Night Challenge by "Naming the Elephant." We know that "Discretionary Distractions" like social media or TV often feel like a necessary escape after a long day. But often, what feels like "decompression" is actually just "disconnection." As you identify your distraction today, let’s dig a layer deeper than just naming "the phone." DEEP DIVE DISCUSSION: When you reach for that specific distraction (the scrolling, the news, the busyness), what emotion are you trying to numb or avoid? Is it boredom, anxiety about the holidays, or just exhaustion? Let's get real in the comments: What is the specific "Elephant" in your room, and why has it been so hard to evict it until now? Don't forget to share your insight with your spouse... this is where connection begins.