season 4 // episode 3 // the joy of Christ at Christmas // a conversation with Ashley Holston

This week, Ashley Holston and I talked about the joy of Jesus. She shares how sometimes, she gets so wrapped up in seeking tools and resources for her faith that she loses sight of the core—Jesus Himself. Even when she couldn't see it during hard times, God was quietly nurturing her faith, growing a supernatural joy within her heart. Her joy wasn't rooted in temporal things, but in the eternal hope of Jesus Christ.

If you’re struggling with all the extra activities, pressures, gifts, and parties thrown at you in this season, this conversation will encourage you to rest in Jesus alone and be content with Him. 

Ashley Holston was born and raised in Northern Virginia, and she now resides in Maryland with her college sweetheart husband, as well as their 5 kids—2 boys and 3 girls! She is a homeschooling mama who, when not teaching or shuttling kids to activities, loves to read, write, spend time with family and friends, and participate in the life of her local church. You can follow Ashley’s musings on faith, motherhood, and everyday living on her blog, on the way home, as well as on her Instagram page, @ashleydholston.

MEMORABLE QUOTES

I end up being focused on all of these tools and all of these resources instead of being focused on Jesus Himself. 

More than the things that we did, the things that we sang are things that I carry with me and pass on to my kids even now.

Joy is an emotion produced by the Holy Spirit in our hearts. 

The Lord grew joy in me…that just didn’t make sense. And nothing miraculously changed in my life. In hindsight I am able to see that this is what God was doing to strengthen my faith.

It seemed like the things I would have pinned my joy to were suddenly not there.

There were little winks from God that let me know, “I see you.”

Having an eternal hope to look forward to in Jesus…knowing that I wasn’t primarily focused on what was happening to me but what was going to happen when I see Christ face to face; those are the things that produced hope and joy in me even though I was struggling at the time. 

He is Immanuel. He is with us by His Spirit, and that is not changed based off of what we are feeling.


Ashley’s advice for those who are having a hard time finding joy:

  • God’s Word

  • God’s people

  • God’s common grace through counseling and therapy


Knowing that God is at work in us whether we can feel it or not is important to remember.

Being in community is essential in finding joy, because people can hold joy for you when you cannot hold it for yourself. 

The enemy wants us to believe that we’re the only ones who feel the way we feel.

Jessica MathisenComment