When I hear the word "joy" in relation to Christmas, I automatically think of this portion of Scripture pictured above. It was made famous to the world in the Charlie Brown Christmas special so many years ago that we all watched as little children. The words, of course, being from the Word of God, still ring true today. In fact, I love this song that sums up this portion of Scripture: click on the video to hear it/watch it:
Jesus fills us with JOY!!
Joy is not the same as happiness and so many people, Christians included, get that confused. Happiness is a state of emotion that tends to come with a specific situation. Your child comes home from college for the holidays and you feel happy. You get a Christmas bonus and you feel happy.
But..the joy you feel of that child lingers in your heart, remembering each moment of her growing up years....that tiny hand clasped in yours as you crossed a busy street; the chubby legs learning to pump a swing, the first time she danced a solo in the ballet show......the way her personality has molded and her character has been revealed brings joy to your heart. And during the hormonal changes and the angst that the teen years brings, you may not always have been happy but your heart probably contained joy. I know mine did. I got to be two girls' mama!! The joy of that outweighs the negative stuff.
Joy can be had even in our hardest trials. Because of Jesus.
It's sometimes so hard. But once you grasp this concept, it is so easy!
Jesus came to this earth to bring us the gift of salvation. When we accept that free gift, we are filled with His Joy!
When we turn our lives over to His plans and purposes for us, we can experience the joy and peace that comes with trusting Someone who will never fail us, or leave us.
When we walk the path of life with Him by our side, He fills us with Joy. Spending time with Him brings intimacy...and with intimacy comes Joy.
Joy to the world....our LORD has come!!
Spread this Good News today and let Joy rule in your heart.
1 comment:
Hi Faith! I love this post. So true and so relevant. Have a very Merry Christmas! Love to you and your family from UT!
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