Jesus Means Joy
Luke 2.10-14
10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Joy to the world! the Lord is come
–Isaac Watts
Christmas represents a time of joy to Christians. It is the season that we celebrate not simply the birth of Christ, but the redemption that came by His birth. The Christmas stories reveal that this was a time of immense glory, thanksgiving, and joy to God. The angels brought the shepherds “good news of great joy.” This news is welcomed by “a great company of the heavenly host [appearing] with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'” Few events in history have been recorded as being so special that they erupt in an angelic host of voices praising God. Christmas time is one of them. Christmas is a time of joy for all beings, both human and angelic.
Obviously, we ought to fill our spirits with special joy around Christmas. Our lives should always be full of joy, but on Christmas we should remember a special reason for a special kind of joy—the entrance of our Savior into the world. We must resist all the pressures of complaint, gossip, holiday depression, and anger. Instead, we should be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
How is your joy this Christmas season? Are you wrapped up in all the wrappings of Christmas presents? Are you nervous and anxious and frustrated at the overwhelming schedules of all the Christmas parties to attend, gifts to buy, and stockings to hang by the chimney with care? If so, ask Jesus to fill you with a special sort of joy this season. Just as the angels proclaimed with joy the glory of Christ's coming, so should we this Christmas season. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment