Category: Christmas

5 Mental Health Tips for the Holidays

Q'Zion6 Comments

Hello, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. It’s officially December, and we all know what that means; the Christmas season is finally here! And while the spirit of Christmas is in the air as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, many people find themselves more susceptible to stress and even depression during this time of year.

Let’s face it; everyone wants to feel great inside and out throughout the year, but even more so during the Christmas season. And we can all do that; all it needs is a little bit of work and preparation, and we’re all good to go! Today, I will be sharing my top 5 tips for maintaining mental wellness during the holidays. Let’s get started!

Maintain an ‘optimist-realist’ mindset.

The Christmas season is such a beautiful time of year; especially when it is Jesus’s birth that we are celebrating. And I believe that in our hearts, we all want every holiday season to be better than the last. And is it a good thing to maintain that holiday spirt? Absolutely! But we must also be sure to be realistic about our limits and those of the ones that we love as we work to throw huge family gatherings at the end of the year. This year my not be exactly like the last. People and families change. And financial situations and traditions might, as well. But as long as we keep both the optimism and the realism during this time of year, our holiday season will likely be the best one yet.

Exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet.

I know, I know. You’ve probably read this only a thousand times, and would like to do nothing more than to skip to the next heading. But a huge part of the reason why many people feel stressed or depressed around this time of year is because they aren’t putting the work in to keep their body and minds healthy. As little as 30 minutes of exercise a day (even something as simple as yoga, walking, or hiking) as well as incorporating the necessary vitamins and minerals into your diet with fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and protein can cause a boost in your energy and sanity.

Besides, most of us will enjoy a nice break from our diets on Christmas Day, anyway. Just remember, when we do have a craving for something sweet or savory, what matters most is that we eat everything in moderation. ;))

Plan ahead.

What gets most people into a stressed crunch before Christmas and New Year’s Day arrive is they wait until the last minute to buy gifts, prepare Christmas dinners, and put up festive decorations around their home. But in reality, that can only hype up the stress when Christmas is only one or two weeks away. Do yourself and your family a favor by planning a grocery list, putting up most of your decorations for the year, and buying gifts while sales are still here. If you do, it is sure to help your peace of mind, and your wallet.

Volunteer.

One of the best parts of Christmas is that it gives us all another opportunity to look out for one another–meaning ourselves, our families, and those in our communities. God loves a cheerful giver, and if you have the means to give, a great thing to do would be to donate your time and/or money towards an organization that you support. Most of us are blessed by God to be able to afford a fairytale Christmas (or as close to it as we can get.) But everyone doesn’t have that luxury. And it’s important in both God’s will and the spirit of Christmas that we give back to the people and communities that have given to us.

Create a personal budget.

Budgets. Are they most people’s favorite word? Probably not. But are they a weight off of our shoulders during the Christmas season? You bet! This tip kind of goes hand in hand with #1, just because creating a budget requires us to tap into that ‘optimist-realist’ mindset that we discussed.

Sometimes, as much as we want something (for ourselves and/or those we love) it’s important to be realistic with ourselves in how much we can give. So, whether your budget is 50 or 500 dollars, this holiday season, remember that the true meaning of Christmas has no monetary value. Or in other words, a million gifts cannot replace the love that we share during this time of year.

While we cannot control everything that life brings, we can maintain faith in God’s plan for us and do all the preparations that we can for Christmas Day. And I hope that with these tips, your Christmas season will be the utmost merry and bright! Please comment down below some of your productive tips for maintaining mental wellness during this time of year. I would love to hear from you!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless you all and I’ll see you next time! Peace in! ♡

Time flies when you’re having fun! | Winter Break Wrap Up

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While some people, which may include some of you, are still on Winter Break, I went back to school (virtual public school) this Tuesday. To be honest, I miss being on break. The time just flew by so quickly! Although, I must admit that I’m glad that I’m back.

Since a very young age, I’ve always loved school, and all the wisdom that I gain from learning.

Today, I’m going to do an overview of some of the things that I posted/did during winter break, or as I like to call it, a Winter Break Wrap Up. The overview will include pictures, links, and small descriptions of some of the posts that I shared with you all while I was out of school.

Are you ready? Let’s begin!

Family Fun

During my break, I was able to spend a lot of time with Goodmommy (grandmother/guardian.) Although we didn’t go outside of the house for Christmas (Due to the rise in COVID cases), we did spend much needed quality time together. We also did a lot of baking—most of which was cookies. We made sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, and chocolate chip cookies, all of which were delicious!

Peanut Butter Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sugar Cookies

My Favorite Posts

Here’s some link to some of my favorite posts that I wrote during the break. Enjoy!

Christmas Tree Photos

Finally, here are a few pictures of our Christmas tree. Even though we took it down yesterday, God’s presence and the pictures help keep the memories alive. Besides, one of the best things about Christmas is that it comes around again every year!

I hope you all enjoyed this Winter Break Wrap Up! It was a joy to write!

What was your favorite part of Christmas break? Please comment down below.

See you later, y’all! Have a blessed day! ✨

Picture Post + I got a late Christmas gift!

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Hey, everybody! Happy Tuesday to you all.

You might’ve already checked out the other post on my blog where I shared what I got for Christmas of 2021. For the most part, I’ve been using my remote control car and making a lot of art with my new supplies. However, I hadn’t worn any of the clothing that I received yet (which included a winter tracksuit, a few scarves, and one of my favorite gifts of last year, the multi -colored top that I was able to wear today.)

Here’s a few — or maybe a lot, lol — of pictures that I took this morning, before me and Goodmommy left the house. We usually message our pictures to each other, and when I did so today, I told her that I basically took a mini photo shoot! I must admit though, the pictures did end up coming out pretty great.

Another thing that I mentioned on my Christmas haul was a gift that I hadn’t received yet, and that was a beautiful soft pink comforter. I had been anticipating getting a new one since I got my own room, so I was so thankful when I found out that it would be one of my late Christmas gifts. And guess what! It came in the mail today.

As soon as I came home, the first thing that I did was set it up! Well, after I took some pictures of how my bed looked with the other comforter. While I really love the original, as well, I’m thankful that I was able to get an additional one. Now, I will be able to switch from one to another when I want to switch it up a little. I thank God for all of the blessings that He has placed in my life!

Before
After

I wanted to save one of my favorites for last. I also did a post where I showed the gingerbread houses that Goodmommy and I made in early December (of 2021). This is a really beautiful picture that we took before we started filming. The whole process was super fun! Family time is always to be cherished!

And that’s all I have for you all, today! Thank you so much for stopping by. If you enjoyed this post, please like it and follow my blog, if you have yet to do so.

What’s your favorite Christmas gift? If your answer is an item, which ones have you used the most?

Have a blessed day, everyone! ✨

What I Got for Christmas – Christmas 2021🎄| Blogmas Day 19

Q'Zion4 Comments

What I Got for Christmas — Christmas 2021

-ajoyfulChristianteen 🎁

Although Christmas is over, what I love about my favorite holiday is that the gifts are long lasting! Today, I will be sharing all of the gifts (item wise, at least) that I received for Christmas! Most of these are gifts from my Goodmommy (grandmother), but towards the end, I will show some additional presents from other family members. I hope you all had a great time with your family, this Christmas! Enjoy!

Gift #1 – Thunder Tumbler remote control car

This is actually the first present that I opened, during the AMs of Christmas morning. It caught my eye due to it’s unique shape compared to the other gifts. I was super happy to see a red car with a wireless remote control! I hadn’t had one of these since about 9 years old, so to get one for Christmas was a very pleasant surprise. And it drives really great, too!

Gift #2 – Create this Book

I colored the front myself (with Posca Pens.) What do you think?

Create This Book is very similar to ‘Wreck This Journal’, where each page has a prompt or theme that you then have to use to customize each page. I love how you can customize the front cover, and the themes are very unique for both beginner and pro artists! It was written by one of my favorite YouTubers, Moriah Elizabeth. I think she did a fantastic job with making the whole thing a relaxing, creative, and exciting experience.

Gift #3 – Drawing Techniques — Art Maker

I’ve always loved to draw, and right before Winter Break, my Visual Art class required us to start doing portraits, both realistic and abstract. This art kit provides a guide on popular art techniques, as well as in-depth art lessons on how to draw realistic still lifes, portraits, landscapes, and wildlife. I think it will help me improve my art skills tremendously, and the book is extremely detailed, making it great for beginners.

Gift #4 – Art supplies!

A lot of the art supplies that I got for Christmas is Moriah Elizabeth’s frequently used materials in her videos. That includes Posca Pens, fade resistant paint pens that are very bright and bold (beautiful presentation), as well as Matt Mod Podge to seal the artwork in my Create This Book. I also got some colored pens, which I love to use on multiple occasions (planners, journaling, school notes, etc.)

Gift #5 – 2-piece winter tracksuit

Before this Christmas, I had two cute winter tracksuits with a warm, fuzzy sweatshirt and matching pants to go with them. I find them super comfortable and stylish, perfect for the winter time. Since I love these sets so much, this black 2-piece with hot pink highlights really put a smile on my face. The lips on the top are absolutely gorgeous and add a beautiful pop of color. Goodmommy knows me so well, and I am so thankful to God!

Gift #6 – 3 colorful winter scarves

Although I don’t get winters that are very cold like most people, I only had one scarf in my closet, and I had been wanting to increase my collection for a little bit of variation when it comes to matching my outfits. I was given three beautiful scarves that I love dearly! The unique colors really suit my personal style. These accessories are perfect for cold winter days.

Gift #7 – Gorgeous multi-color top

I mean…what’s to dislike? I am absolutely loving this top! It’s colorful, creative, unique, and it has the message “Living my Blessed LIFE.” When I saw this shirt on Christmas morning, I knew that I was going to show it off the very next time I got out of the house!

Gift #8 – 2022 planner

Come on now, who doesn’t love a good planner for Christmas? During school, I have lots of live classes, appointments, and club meetings, so planners are very helpful for keeping track of my schedule. Plus, it’s super cute! You can never have to much glitter.

Gift #9 – Pretty pink comforter

Currently, I have a Shopkins comforter on my bed. While it’s very comfortable, the design is based off of a toy brand that I loved…in first grade. While I love the colors, I wanted an upgrade to match me now. My Goodmommy was kind enough to get me this beautiful pink comforter. Although it hasn’t arrived yet, therefore this is not my room, it will still be one of my Christmas gifts. I love it already!

Gift #10 – Pandora Keys of Love Charm

This is definitely one of my favorite presents. It’s a beautiful Pandora charm with 4 jeweled silver keys, each one showcasing a letter, all of which spell out the word “LOVE.” Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also a great new addition to my Pandora bracelet and the first charm that I received on my birthday, this year.

Gift #11 – Extras! Fun items from more family!

All of the gifts above were from Goodmommy (and the Lord, of course.) I was given these by some of the additional members of my family: my great grandmother and one of my cousins. I received a whole bag of additional presents, including some new lip gels, a 300-piece puzzle, some body lotion, a decorative blanket, and two gift cards (one for Chick-fil-a and the other for Walmart.) I made sure to ask Goodmommy to tell them thank you as soon as she told me about it. Family is so important!

I really appreciate that all of my Christmas gifts will be long lasting, and well-loved for years to come. I thank God for every gift that I recieved this Christmas, not only the physical gifts, but for spiritual and mental peace, as well as a blessed life. These are presents that simply can’t be replaced, no matter what gifts we get.

Related Post that You Might Like: Merry Christmas + We Decorated Sugar Cookies!

Have a beautiful day, everyone! 🎁

What did you get for Christmas? Comment down below!

Giving Thanks —Why Should We Do So? (Reblog)

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Note: This is a reblog that I wanted to share with you all, because it is National Thank You Note Day. Enjoy!

Christmas Day has passed for the year, and it’s likely that you’ve received many blessings. Like what, you may ask? Well, maybe you got to spend time with your family for the first time in a long time, or your parents got you something that you’ve really wanted. As saved Christians, we have eternal life, a blessing due to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice (on the cross.)

All of these are examples of the things in life that deserve some gratitude. Some examples are big and others are small. But, why do exactly do we need to say, “Thank You?”

First of all, there’s always something to be thankful for. Even in the lowest of lows, as well as the highest of highs. Being thankful for the things that you do have, including another day alive, is showing appreciation for the little and big things in life. 

As well, saying thank you to a person, especially if they’ve did something for us that they didn’t have to, can make them feel special and appreciated. Even if they aren’t thinking about recognition, a short, sweet, and meaningful “Thank You!” never hurts anyone! 

Giving thanks to God is even more important. You may be wondering why, so I will explain. A lot of times, we tend to focus on the few things that we don’t have rather than thanking Him for all of the amazing things that He has blessed us with, and we do have!

Gratitude and showing your thankfulness for the elements in our life, big or small, prevents us from becoming self-centered or thinking too highly of ourselves. Being thankful allows us to humble ourselves, and recognize how God, as well as other people that He has placed in our lives, have helped us become who we are today. 

To sum up, being thankful does the following:

  • It makes deserving people feel appreciated.
  • It gives God all the Glory!
  • It allows us to think about what we have rather than what we want or don’t have.
  • It prevents cockiness, and allows us to humble ourselves.

So, after you finish reading this, before you do anything else, make sure that you tell someone you love the words, “Thank you!” You don’t have to say what for. Maybe this person makes you laugh and cheers you up while your sad, has stayed by your side through it all, or did something else kind today. 

Either way, I hope you will feel happy when you do! Gratitude is rewarding in so many ways! 

Have an amazing day, everyone! 💖

Psalm 69:30 NIV – I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Merry Christmas + We Decorated Sugar Cookies! | Blogmas Day 18

Q'Zion3 Comments

Merry Christmas, everyone! I must admit that I had so much fun today while celebrating the Birth of Jesus! Spending time with family was an amazing experience! After we completed our Christmas prayers, it was gift opening time! I loved every single present that I received. My gifts varied from art supplies, to a winter tracksuit, to scarves, to a remote control car! Talk about blessed! God is so good.

Here’s a little sneak peak of me opening my presents with Goodmommy!

If you want to see more of what I got this Christmas, comment down below #gifthaul! If we get enough comments, then I might post a video of me sharing everything that I got for Christmas!

After the gift unwrapping was over, me and Goodmommy decided to decorate Christmas cookies together for the very first time. I really enjoyed doing something new, and ushering in yet another Christmas tradition into our home.

Finally, my love for Food Network Baking Championship shows has payed off! 😂

Here are my cookies! I learned the little swirl inside from baking competitions! I think it came out pretty great!
These are Goodmommy’s cookies! I’m so proud of her for making them look so cute! I also love what the cookie on the right says, “Jesus!”

I don’t know about you, but I think they came out pretty good-looking! (And they were absolutely delicious too! The outline was a bit crispy, but the inside was soft and moist! Very good sugar cookies, overall!)

Question of the Day: What did you do this Christmas? What was your favorite part(s)?

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you are having and/or have had an extremely merry, joyful, happy, family-filled, and blessed Christmas!

I’ll see you all later, everyone! Bye! ❤️🎄❤️

🌟 Merry Christmas Eve 🌟 | Blogmas Day 17

Q'Zion1 Comment

I woke up pretty late today…around 1:00 p.m. I’ve enjoyed sleeping in ever since Winter Break started.

When I went downstairs, I was so filled with joy to see the presents under the tree. There’s just something about it that makes the whole thing feel complete. The presents compliment the tree’s red and gold hues, every light hard to miss.

Stripes, symmetrical squares, shimmering gold, and snowflakes gently placed on the fragile gift wrapping that was so intricately folded around the red, white, and gold jewels that lie beneath the tree. And that golden angel on the top wraps it up like each crisp bow does it’s present. The heart represents the center of Christmas itself: the birth of Jesus, who has inspired the celebration that we come together to celebrate every year.

Although I consider myself a very grateful person, I must admit that during the Christmas season, my heart becomes fuller and fuller with gratitude; towards God, and my family, particularly Goodmommy.

Gifts are something that we often categorize as items or things, but the best gift of all is the Lord. Every day, we are blessed with life, love, peace, and family. A Christmas tree with gifts underneath are honestly just extras compared to the blessings that we receive every day.

I think that not only is Christmas about what you receive (presents, etc.), but it’s more so about being grateful for what you already have. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without those things in life that some take for granted.

Related Post You Might Like: Remembering the Reason for the Season

So today, me and Goodmommy want to wish you all a Merry Christmas,

and a Happy New Year!

– Princess Q’Zion

P.S. Here are some of my favorite Christmas songs for you to enjoy with Christmas cheer! Please tell me some of your favorite Christmas songs down below (in the comments) :))

❆ List of My Favorite Christmas Movies ❆ (Reblog)

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Note: Since today is National Christmas Movie Marathon Day, I wanted to ✨ reblog ✨ the post where I share my favorite Christmas movies! Enjoy! 🎄

In my house, the amount of Christmas traditions is absolutely astonishing! We take the holiday season very merrily, and one of the traditions that we use to celebrate is binging Christmas movies. Each one emerges you into a different story, but they all capture the essence of the Christmas season.

Since Blogmas is still underway, I wanted to create a list of a few of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. *Keep in mind that this list isn’t in any specific order, as I love each movie for different reasons. They’re all my favorites, so the ordering is just for organization. Thanks!*

The Polar Express (2004)

This movie centers around Hero Boy (Chris), who decides to go on a magical train (The Polar Express) on Christmas Eve. On a journey to the North Pole, he discovers that some wonders of life are only possible for those who believe.

Not only is this movie one of my favorites, but it brings so much nostalgia from when I was in elementary school, watching the story emerge in my pajamas. Although I didn’t focus on it when I was younger, the animation in this movie is truly breathtaking. The characters are easily likeable, and the story has a fantastic message for viewers of all ages. It includes much adventure that keeps you at the edge of your seat, and the music really brings in that classic Christmas feeling!

Godmothered (2020)

Godmothered is about a fairy godmother-in-training who has come to Earth to answer the long-waited letter of a young girl. But when she finally arrives to make the little girl’s dream come true, she realizes that the same girl is now an adult with a family of her own.

I think this movie is very similar to the Disney classic Enchanted (which I also really liked), but with a spin. I love its focus on family, with comedy here-and-there and just a bit of romance. While it might seem a bit cheesy to some, I really love how it has the theme of cherishing your family, and appreciating what you have, even if it isn’t the life that you planned or envisioned.

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)

This is pretty much a modern spin to the other Christmas classic, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The beloved Grinch has an internal battle as he makes it his goal to steal the gifts of the people of Whoville, and essentially “steal Christmas.”

I really love the soundtrack of this movie, since it takes the classic version and twists it to give it more of an upbeat, yet still festive, vibe. This modern classic definitely kept me laughing, especially with the Grinch’s pessimistic, yet comedic, attitude. I believe that the narration is actually quoting the book by Dr. Seuss, and the rhyming really captures the author’s whimsical style, making the movie and characters truly come to life.

Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

Christmas with the Kranks is about a middle-aged couple who decide to throw a neighborhood Christmas party to welcome their adult daughter back home who left the country to be with her new fiancé. However, the party planning has many bumps in the road.

I must admit that this classic is absolutely at the very top of my family’s list. The amount of comedy, family, and Christmas whimsy that they were able to incorporate into the film is incredible. Additionally, the cast made funny moments even more enjoyable! This is an absolute family favorite that people of most ages can enjoy happily during the Christmas season!

I had so much fun with sharing some of my favorite Christmas movies! As the year wraps up, we are planning on watching many more, and hopefully adding to this list!

What are some of your favorite Christmas movies?

Have a beautiful day, everyone! 💖

A Go-To Guide on How to Make Successful New Year’s Resolutions | Blogmas Day 16

Q'Zion5 Comments

A Go-To Guide on How to Make Successful New Year’s Resolutions

-ajoyfulchristianteen 🎉

While every year is a blessing, no year is perfect. Therefore, many people find themselves wanting to change something and do better the next year. These targets that we set for ourselves as January comes around are called New Year’s Resolutions.

Making these resolutions are a method to practice reaching your goals and bettering yourself as a person, and they are very healthy ways to start off a new year. But there’s one catch: they aren’t always easy to write and do successfully.

Here’s a helpful guide on how to effectively write New Year’s Resolutions that are reachable, productive, and purposeful!

  • Pick a few, realistic resolutions – Many people will fill a sheet of paper or more with resolutions that they might not finish as the year comes to an end. If you are a goal-getter, then go for it! However, it might be a better idea to pick a few goals (realistic ones). This will allow you to focus more on each specific resolution, rather than juggling a dozen. The least we want to do with our resolutions is put ourselves in a crunch.
  • Start preparing ahead of time. Physically and mentally – Truthfully, change can be a hard thing. Resolutions are essentially changes, some of which can be stopping an addiction or an unhealthy habit. Whatever your resolution(s) are, take the time before January to prepare yourself for your goals. It might help to slowly start your goal beforehand, that way your mind and body has some time to adjust to the unfamiliar changes.
  • Write them down – Believe it or not, we can easily forget things if we don’t write them down. Having documentation of your goals, especially with a signature, is an agreement with yourself that you will push through and complete your resolutions. Not only that, but it is a visual way to help you remember what you want to do for the year.
  • Be specific – Often, when making our resolutions, we tend to speak about our goals in general. However, in order to set a stable path for success, you need to be specific with your details, making sure that you know exactly what you will be doing, and by when you want to complete each resolution.

Here are some examples of general vs. specific New Year’s Resolutions:

  • “I want to lose weight.” vs. “I want to lose 50 pounds by Christmas Day of (insert year.)”
  • “I want to have a healthier diet.” vs. “I want to eat 2 cups of vegetables every day from this day, (insert date), forward.”
  • “I want to save more money.” vs. “I will only go on a shopping spree (for unnecessary items) a maximum of once a month in the year of (insert year.)
  • Explain your resolutions to a confidant. – Some resolutions might be private, and if so, that’s okay. But a good idea to help you remain determined is by telling your New Year’s Resolutions to a confidant (family member, friend, etc.) Doing so will help hold you accountable to your words, and the confidant of choice can help keep you on track!
  • Make large goals smaller by splitting them into sections. – While healthy goals are great, we as humans may try to put too much on our own shoulders. Instead of making long, complicated goals, split them into smaller sections.

Here is an example of how you can make a large goal smaller:

Main Goal: I want to loose 50 pounds in the year of (insert year.)

  • I will eat 2,000 calories per day.
  • I will exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
  • I will loose 4 pounds, 2 ounces every month.
  • Be prepared to reward yourself. – If when the end of the year comes around, you have completed your goal, I can say one thing to you: Congratulations! It’s about time that you congratulate yourself with a healthy reward. You worked hard to reach your goal! Now that you have done what’s best for your health, it’s time to give yourself a pat on the back!

If you don’t remember anything else from this guide, keep in mind that change is an adjustment that takes getting used to. Change can be a good thing, however, with work, determination, and dedication, I’m sure that all of your resolutions will be met!

Have a beautiful day, everyone! 🎉

Remembering the Reason for the Season | Blogmas Day 15

Q'Zion4 Comments

4 days…that’s all we have until Christmas of 2021. In today’s world, a lot of people have forgotten the true reason for the holiday of Christmas: to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior. To be honest, the purpose is obvious, since the word “Christ” is in the title.

However, many try to use phrases like “X-mas” to try to X-out Christ. Even though that will never be possible, society has shaped words and phrases to make it look like it is.

I wanted to talk to you all today about remembering what Christmas is really about, and celebrating that in our everyday lives. As Christians, we are followers of Christ. Therefore, we must make sure, while family, friends, and giving are also important parts of Christmas, that we are giving thanks to the Lord for blessing us with another Christmas, and another amazing year.

Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with singing Christmas carols, giving and receiving gifts, and enjoying a Christmas dinner. They are all parts of what make Christmas special! Meanwhile, we should always remember and cherish the true reason why we celebrate Christmas annually!

🎉 Happy Birthday, Jesus! 🎉

Have a beautiful day, everyone! ✝️