Christmas Holiday Greeting

Joy

Throughout the world, the Christmas Holiday is celebrated as a time of great joy. The days of Christmas bring a special focus on family and children, music and singing, snacking and feasting, giving and gifts, lights and decorations, cozy comforts, warming fireplaces . . . and faithful thanksgiving for the One whose birth gave us the holiday occasion. In nations rich and poor, there also has emerged mounting commercial prosperity during the days and weeks leading up to Christmas. Merchants have come to expect business activity that puts them into the “black” for the whole year, even if sales earlier in the year have been off. Families spur year-end prosperity as they significantly step up their life cadence during the weeks of Christmas preparation. More than at any other time, family members ponder what each other needs, often composing a Christmas List, so no one is left out when presents are opened. They engage many more shopping trips than usual, even braving colder weather or snow to fit everything in. The family "love circle" walks with and talks to each other more during the Christmas Season than any other holiday period, anniversary, or birthday celebration. There is visibly heightened excitement among the “gold band,” more kindnesses and consideration shown. The “wonder of it all” spreads to relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers . . . even strangers in need. Light displays pop up in neighborhoods and towns and cities to brighten the winter night in a manner paralleling heightened beaming on faces of loved ones. Churches opening their doors to Christmas services often include a congregational Candle Light Ceremony that sets every face in the house beautifully aglow. Singing is more fully enjoined and especially joyous. I don’t think there has been a more sustained and peaceful “high” as widely and faithfully entreated as the season of Christmas Spirit.

The first Christmas was not so graced with wealth, high expectations, or family interactions. Things had not been going so well for Israel, and remedial help from heaven was not at the forefront of their minds. Most had forgotten God and the promise of a Messiah (the very Jesus we remember each Christmas). In fact, they were a Rome-occupied land on the verge of desolation. Sorrow, not joy, was the prevailing sentiment. And, without an advancing People of God, the whole world soon would be sinking in despair. The Jesus we know is the Christ (the Anointed One), highly regarded for the “oil of gladness" bestowed upon him by God, the Father. His Divine Unction and heavenly radiance made him stand out among his peers. He clearly differentiated on the matter of positive thoughts, words, and deeds, too. There had never been another man like him.

Even with lowly birth (He was born in a Bethlehem stable, not on a luxury estate his ancestor King David surely would have provided), hazardous infancy (the family escaped to Egypt to evade murderous Herod), and beggarly evangelism on account of rejection by Priests of Israel, Jesus Christ never faltered or failed His mission. His resilience could not be shaken or taken, even by the grave. He drew from a Well of Joy that no earthly circumstance or adversary could drain. His joy could not be counterfeited. From this remarkable, fathomless One came a small band of beloved Disciples, also gifted repositories of joy, divinely commissioned to spread it to the whole world. Modern Believers are beneficiaries of the original joy gift, a treasure persevering after all these years. It does not fade, it does not wear out, it cannot be stolen.

Consider the following excerpts from the Holy Scripture, taking special note of the “joy” element. In that long-ago time of darkness enveloping the whole world, the will to live was flagging, depressing Kings and peasants into desperate, shorter lives, weakened constitution, destructive decisions, and inhumane behavior. Against a dismal backdrop of defeated purposes, primitive circumstances, ongoing frustration, relentless poverty, widespread sickness and disease, all sorts of bodily impairments, Jesus, the matchless Star of Heaven, came to shine. He had get-up-and-go that could raise the dead. The “joy” spark within was central to birthing a new agency, a Church capable of saving the whole world (a Calling the Jews had let slip). That 2,000-year-old Spiritual Lightning is central to reviving the Church of Jesus Christ today.

Birth of John The Baptist Brings Joy to Zacharias

The angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son,

and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have JOY and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Luke:1.13-14

Unborn Baby John Becomes Joyful at the Voice of Virgin Mary For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine (Elizabeth’s) ears, the babe (John) leaped in my womb for JOY. Luke:1.44

Angels Bring Joy to Shepherds in the Field at Night, and to All Mankind The angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY, which shall be to all people. Luke:2.10

Three Kings of the East Joy Upon Finding the Star Leading to Jesus

Lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great JOY. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew:2.9-11

Angels Joy Over Repentance Likewise, I say unto you, there is JOY in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke:15.10

Words of Life from Jesus Bring Full Joy These things have I spoken unto you, that my JOY might remain in you, and that your JOY might be full.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John:15.11-12

None Shall Take Away the Joy Received from Jesus

Ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your JOY no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it you. John:16.22-23

Joy is the Fruit of God’s Spirit The fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance,

against such there is no law. Galatians:5.22-23

It is clear from the Holy Scripture, God’s record of truth for mankind, that joy is a gift from our Creator. By divine work, joy is given with permanence. No power on Earth can counterfeit joy. There is only one real joy, and we must do business with the Almighty to receive it. It also is by His rules that we hold onto joy, retain it as our possession. Interpreting the joy of the Lord as happiness, gladness, satisfaction, fulfillment, delight, etc., makes clear that joy is a central reason for living. It is to be pursued, and peoples and nations of the Earth must govern in ways that it be found and preserved. There is a path to and in joy. It composes the sweet spot in life, the sweet life, with gentle, divine exhilaration. Once found, once experienced, one desires to move within it to sustain the presence and satisfaction of joy. It serves as a homing device, a basis of lifestyle navigation. Why ever take yourself outside the sphere of joy or the time tunnel of joy?

Living within the will of God preserves and fulfills joy. The Scripture Code of Divine Law provides tangible guides to the joy-filled life. One does not have to simply feel his way along. The knowledge of God from the Holy Scripture provides eternally true guidance on joyful living, Spirit-filled living. These tangible markings of the joy path might be thought of as road signs along the time highway of life. They make it easier not to get lost or suffer diversions into rough territory. Pressing the travel metaphor further, one also would notice that the joy path also is marked by wonderful scenery. Our Creator engineers His creation with both function and beauty. Being wholly in His care is being holy. The holy ones experience the beauty of the Lord continuously. They live a beautiful life and are beautiful people. In fact, ability to share the secrets of God, His Good News, with others spreads both joy and beauty, eventually composing a panorama of beauty all shall witness. That consummate setting is the Kingdom of God with global span. Since mankind has filled and tamed the Earth, and communicated the message of joy all around (through postal service, book deliveries, phone service, radio, movies, television, email, and internet), we should be at the threshold of God’s great Kingdom by now.

News reports of world events at this Christmas Season, over 2,000 years since the first Christmas, make us sadly aware that joy has not been comprehensively provided yet. Many have not the means to live a meaningful life. Even in Christian nations, there has been slippage from the grace of God, the endowment of joy. Since none are born with the Christmas present of joy in their hearts, but must be taught it by parents, ministers, teachers, friends, etc., only one break in the generational chain can produce a lost generation of unjoyful people. Sadly, there is much evidence of weakened joy stewardship in America. Youth, especially, are busy trying to fill their lives with joy counterfeits, sensing a lack of the real thing. The list of experiments might include drug abuse, alcohol abuse, illicit (non-love) sex, materialism, cultism, vicarious living (watching others live or perform 50 hours a week, instead of living life yourself), over-partying (parties without a worthy occasion), losing themselves in sensational mass events (e.g., rock concerts), hyperactivity, over-eating, etc., etc., etc. God’s simple prescription for joy brings no regrets like these intense but vain pursuits are sure to do.

So, what is the Christmas prescription 2,016 years after the original cure was given? Pursue joy as God has given it. Accept no substitutes. Read the Christmas Story and the Gospels of Jesus Christ. Seek and find the One True Lord, and you will find joy as it is truly given. There is joy enough from heaven to supply a whole world in need. There is a lifetime of joy in store for you.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year In Christ

#Joy #Christmas