The Joy of Christmas
As we get closer and closer to Christmas, the air is a little colder and is filled with melodies that echo the timeless message of joy. Have you been hearing it throughout your drive and your days?... The sounds of Christmas ring out… One of the most well known is the carol "Joy to the World" which sends the clear and resounding proclamation of the joy found at Christmas. But does it bring joy to our soul this Christmas? If we truly listen to the words and understand the meaning, we will find echoes of hope and belief that resonate with the profound truths found in Scripture. Isaac Watts penned the lyrics of “Joy to the World” 1719. However the carol was not inspired by the Christmas story itself but by the triumphant themes of Psalm 98 which read:
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn — shout for joy before the Lord, the King. (Psalm 98:4-6).
It was this psalm of joy that led him to write of the second coming of Christ. Watts captured the essence of the psalm's jubilant praise, translating it into a celebration of the joy that Christ will come to bring healing to the world… Healing to us wherever we find ourselves this season… Over time it has become a well beloved Christmas carol that reminds us that the joy of Christmas is not merely a fleeting emotion but a profound and everlasting reality that can overflow out of our lives if we let it…
In the same fashion, the Apostle Paul writes of the joy we find in our Savior in his letter to the Philippian church where he instructs the church to Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:4-6).
Paul’s call to rejoice is not contingent on our circumstances but rooted in the unchanging nature of our Lord. It encourages us to let our gentleness be evident to all… Not just during the Christmas season, but all the year… In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it's easy to become anxious about various aspects of life…. Whether it's schedule, financial, or general… Stress finds a way into our minds… Paul’s words remind us that in every situation, to turn to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. The joy of Christmas is intricately tied to our trust and reliance on the source of all hope.
The joy of Christmas is rooted in the hope we have in our belief… And it goes beyond the merriment of the season. It’s a joy that springs from the realization that God has drawn near to us through the birth of His Son. It’s a story of God's love breaking into our world, bringing light to the darkest corners and hope to the most lonely of hearts. Let’s embrace the joy of the season with hearts full of gratitude and faith. No matter what the challenges and uncertainties we face, the message of Christmas remains a steadfast beacon of hope and a true source of joy.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn — shout for joy before the Lord, the King. (Psalm 98:4-6).
It was this psalm of joy that led him to write of the second coming of Christ. Watts captured the essence of the psalm's jubilant praise, translating it into a celebration of the joy that Christ will come to bring healing to the world… Healing to us wherever we find ourselves this season… Over time it has become a well beloved Christmas carol that reminds us that the joy of Christmas is not merely a fleeting emotion but a profound and everlasting reality that can overflow out of our lives if we let it…
In the same fashion, the Apostle Paul writes of the joy we find in our Savior in his letter to the Philippian church where he instructs the church to Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:4-6).
Paul’s call to rejoice is not contingent on our circumstances but rooted in the unchanging nature of our Lord. It encourages us to let our gentleness be evident to all… Not just during the Christmas season, but all the year… In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it's easy to become anxious about various aspects of life…. Whether it's schedule, financial, or general… Stress finds a way into our minds… Paul’s words remind us that in every situation, to turn to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. The joy of Christmas is intricately tied to our trust and reliance on the source of all hope.
The joy of Christmas is rooted in the hope we have in our belief… And it goes beyond the merriment of the season. It’s a joy that springs from the realization that God has drawn near to us through the birth of His Son. It’s a story of God's love breaking into our world, bringing light to the darkest corners and hope to the most lonely of hearts. Let’s embrace the joy of the season with hearts full of gratitude and faith. No matter what the challenges and uncertainties we face, the message of Christmas remains a steadfast beacon of hope and a true source of joy.
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