Rejoice Together

Welcome to the final month of the year. It’s been quite a journey this year! My goal is to finish strong and start the new year with hope. It seems fitting to celebrate art journaling through the whole year with grand finale pages and a beloved song, sung during the Christmas season: Joy to the World.

There are video tutorials further down on how to make the monthly cover page above and the calendar directly below, plus more how-to pages.

Here is a flip through of this month’s journal pages:

I’m still on a quest for joy this month, and am proactive in the pursuit. If you are seeking joy and haven’t read the previous blog post, there you will find a list of practical ways to restore joy I hope you find helpful.

Joy to the World

Joy has made its way into this month’s journal with the Christmas carol Joy to the World. What’s interesting is that the song wasn’t intended to be a Christmas carol. It was originally one of the poems written in a book by the prolific hymn writer Isaac Watts in 1719. Joy to the World was not based on the birth of Christ, but inspired by Psalm 98, and focused on the joys of Christ’s second coming.

Nearly 100 years after Watts write the poem, in 1839, Lowell Mason, a music teacher, discovered Joy to the World and arranged it into a song based on music by Handel. The song was first released during Christmastime, and quickly became popular. It has been associated with Christmas ever since.

It seems fitting that we celebrate the Christmas season with Joy to the World. After all, there wouldn’t be a second coming if there wasn’t a first, and this timeless hymn declares joy for all humanity in the first coming of Christ that comes into fullness in his second coming. Joy to the world declares the coming of Jesus Christ and calls the whole world to receive Christ’s presence and kingly reign. Each person is encouraged to make room for Christ in their heart in order to experience the wonders of His love. We look forward to when Christ will rule the nations with truth and grace, and they will reflect the glories of His righteousness.

Here is the Psalm that inspired Isaac Watts to write Joy to the World!

Psalm 98 NRSV

1 O sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
    have gotten him victory.
2 The Lord has made known his victory;
    he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
    to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
    the victory of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
    break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
    with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
    make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    the world and those who live in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
    let the hills sing together for joy
9 at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
    to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with equity.

Video Tutorials

Below is a watercolor painting tutorial for December’s cover; and then a tutorial on painting pages such as the calendar page above, gratitude page and workflow page featuring how to paint an easy evergreen tree.

December’s pages are one of my favorites, really feeling like the grand finale of the Plan with me adventure of 2021.

Pages from December’s Plan with Me journal

Merry Christmas!

The following two verses are taken from the end of Zechariah’s prophecy about his son John (the Baptizer) and why Jesus came:

“Because of God’s tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace.”

- Luke 1: 78-79 NLT

“Praise the Lord!
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”

- Psalm 28:6-7 NLT

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Materials used in December’s 2021 journal set-up

Stencils used:

https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-valerie-sjodin-s/2044.htm

Planner Banner Ribbons #L832

Script Sans Serif Planner Alphabet + Grid #L833

Music Notations Stencil #L688

Stars Stencil with Stars Mask Double Border #s868

Stars Stencil with Stars Mask Edge #L843

Mid Century Modern Stars #s754

NOTE: I am demonstrating in watercolor and pen, but you could also use other media like colored pencils, pens & Gelatos®.

Supplies used:

160 gsm dotted notebook
Pentel P205BP2-K6 Sharp Mechanical/Automatic Pencil, 0.5mm, Black, 2 Count: https://amzn.to/3m3lPgX
Kneaded eraser: https://amzn.to/3m0wDwp
Staedtler permanent pen set: https://amzn.to/3yQ2Ixy
Micron pen set: https://amzn.to/3jpWOup or other waterproof pen set such as STA pigment liner set: https://amzn.to/396GX2h
White Posca paint pen/s: https://amzn.to/3hhmV75
Cosmetic wedges: https://amzn.to/2IVno1J
MT Gold Washi tape: https://amzn.to/34w8Jls
Misc. Washi tape
Tombow double sided tape: https://amzn.to/3aRmnDI
Color M600 Artist Mica Watercolor Paint, Metallic: https://amzn.to/337mfvp
NOTE: If the above metallic watercolors are listed as 'currently unavailable'. If you want to order from Amazon, there are a few other choices that include gold like this one: https://amzn.to/3gZDqEU . I also saw some that look like they might be the same pigment but in a rectangular shape on Blick: https://www.dickblick.com/products/finetec-artist-mica-watercolors/ . You can also copy the name and google it to see other options.
Silver Brush 3000S-6 Black Velvet Short Handle Round Size 6: https://amzn.to/339sEq0
Silver Brush 3000S-2 Black Velvet Short Handle Round, Size 2: https://amzn.to/2UVEZtq
Silver Brush set of large wash and small pointed brushes: https://amzn.to/37Si4Xb
Watercolors: (Qor brand used) Indigo, Paynes Gray, Permanent Scarlet, Diarylide Yellow, Dyke Brown, Sap Green, Thalo Blue
Ruler
craft knife
piece of mylar
140 lb hot press watercolor paper Fabriano Artistico
toothbrush
spray bottle for water
rock salt
Small Scissors - https://amzn.to/2U7BgeS (comes in set of 5)

I only recommend and link to products I've used and am happy with. The above links are affiliate links, meaning if you click from here and order, I get a small commission. It costs you nothing. Win/Win! Thank you! Please email me with any questions or concerns.

Plan with me Premium

Plan with me Premium e-course is a separate interactive e-course running throughout 2021. In addition to the videos above, each month Plan with me Premium includes a how-to video on how to make the dutch door page (shown below) with downloadable pattern, and devotional videos that includes a personal devotional activity for the interior of the Dutch door, PLUS accompanying PDF downloadable devotional pages and patterns. Currently, since there is one month left in the year, the course is not available for registration. Check back for more information on courses offered in 2022.