MESSAGE FROM NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY DIRECTOR
The season of joy can propel us into 2022 with hope After a difficult couple of years, this Christmas is the perfect time to lift spirits and gain perspective “Joy to the World, the Lord is come” “Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant” “Joyful all ye nations rise” “Sing in exultation” “Shepherds why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?” “And with delight in peaceful night” “Lord with the angels we too would rejoice”
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ou may recognize these familiar words, all lines from the Christmas hymns that are heard so frequently this time of year. Joy, joyful, exultation, jubilee, joyous, delight, rejoice. In the scriptural telling of Christ’s birth, there are also expressions of joy. When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth while both women were expecting, Elizabeth told Mary, “For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” In announcing Christ’s birth to the shepherds, the angel said, “For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” When the wise men saw the star, “they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” These synonyms of joy and happiness are repeated throughout the songs and stories of Christmas and throughout the Christmas season. This time of year, the word “joy” is one of the most
12 LINE RIDER DECEMBER 2021
BY KAREN WILLIAMS ICA Natural Resources Policy Director
common words. It appears in storybooks, in home decoration, in wall art, on apparel, in stores — and in our hearts. Given the tumultuous couple of years we’ve just had, joy is something that we all could use a little more of. Reading the news, hearing the cattle market report, seeing the bitter divisiveness permeate our society and surviving a rainless summer all give justifiable cause to feel a constant state of depression and hopelessness. The Christmas season — and the reason for it — offers just the measure of hope and optimism that is so desperately needed in our world right now. I’ve always been a bit crazy about Christmastime. I love the season and the rich traditions that come with it, and look forward to it every year, even in the midst of all the accompanying stress a mother tends to feel. The feeling in the air is not replicated at any other time of year. I feel the joy that is so commonly expressed. For me, joy is abundant and found in: • Finding that perfect tree on a mountainside after a snowy hike. • Bins full of Christmas decorations just brought out of storage. • Christmas lights. • The poetical sound of the story of the birth of Christ as written by Luke. • A white Christmas. • Opening the boxes of treasured, heirloom ornaments as the tree is decorated. • Turning all the lights off in the house except for those on the Christmas tree. • Images of Christ all around, and seeing his image reflected in countless acts of charity. www.idahocattle.org
