Oh What a Glorious Night

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness (Psalm 96:11-13 NIV). Did you know that depending on the translation of Scripture you use, joy is spoken of between 150 and 358 times? Throughout the pages and centuries, joy is a common topic of conversation. How to find it and even how to receive it. Humanity has been on the quest for true joy from the beginning. And the truth is, we aren’t much different today. However, since the birth of the nation we’ve changed our thinking to be in the pursuit of happiness now. And over the last 250 years, we may have been missing one critical step. Happiness is a feeling. It’s based on the things that happen around us. It can rise and fall like the tide. Joy is something completely different and is not circumstantial. It’s found somewhere else.

In King David’s early life, he knew the source of true joy. Within one of his psalms he writes to God that You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand (Psalm 16:11 NIV). David found that in the presence of God we can be filled with joy. When Jesus walked the earth with His disciples, He took that understanding a little further just before the resurrection. Right before he went to the cross, He said to those with Him, now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy (John 16:22 NIV). Jesus spoke of the resurrection when He would return to the disciples. There is joy in seeing the risen Lord. We can have that same joy today. Joy that doesn’t fade. Not even after the Christmas lights get put away. It’s a joy that’s meant to be shared with those around you. That Jesus came down to save us. It’s the very same joy that filled the shepherd on the night of His birth and they couldn’t contain the joy they felt. In fact, the shepherds wondered. They couldn't hide it. Told everyone in sight. All were amazed when they heard how God came down on the glorious night. On their way to Bethlehem, their voices could probably be heard singing that I hear the angels singing hallelujah. Let the earth receive her king. I know that love has come. Singing it out. Jesus Christ is born (Sidewalk Prophets, Oh What a Glorious Night).

Don’t just pursue the feeling of happiness this season. Find true and deep settling joy in the baby that came at Christmas. The one who caused great joy for all people because He is Christ the Lord!