Our hymn “In the Bleak Midwinter” is a song often sung at Christmastime, but here in the Upper Midwest, we know that “bleak midwinter” is an apt description for February. Though well on the other side of the Winter Solstice, February is often dark, frequently bone-chillingly cold, and for many, it can be a time when the shadows of our hearts can speak more loudly. So, what better time to turn our attention toward joy and gratitude? This month, we explore in theological and practical terms what it means to love the life we’re living and infuse our days with gladness. But let’s be clear, this isn’t a saccharine “always look on the bright side” but rather a serious grappling with the joy and gratitude that our theological and relational commitments call us into.