DECEMBER 16TH
Joy to the World
Luke 2:8-14 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Yes, today’s scripture is the same passage you read yesterday on day 15. It’s not a mistake! There is something else hidden in these verses that is worth taking a second look at as we discuss yet another beloved Christmas Carol. Joy To The World is an all-time favorite Christmas carol, and one of the key lines in the song is that Joy has come to the world because the Lord has come and earth has received her King. Joy has not come to the world because we get presents on Christmas, because Santa has come to town, or because Elfis playing on repeat. It can break the heart of a Christian to see how our world tries to convince children and adults alike that the reason Christmas is joy-filled is because of Santa, the elves in a workshop, or tales of Frosty the Snowman. No disrespect to St. Nicholas, but if his coming to town is the best reason someone can give to celebrate Christmas, then we might as well forget the whole thing and just focus on the New Year.
There is nothing wrong with gifts and traditions that have become a part of Christmas over the years, but these things only bring temporary happiness at best.. Christmas happiness is as far removed from Christmas joy as the North Pole is from Bethlehem. Christmas joy is for all people, not just those who can afford a pile of this year's trending gifts. Christmas joy lasts all year long, and as the song says, Christmas brings joy to the whole world, because the Lord has come in the flesh in an act of amazing love for the whole world. Jesus didn't just come for some, but for all. There is a reason why Jesus Christ came in human flesh, the heavenly son of an earthly mother. The name Immanuel, "God with us" is one of the sweetest of God's many names. After Jesus came, God was no longer just God above us or God separate from us, but rather, God who shares our grief, hunger, loss, and pain. Wrapped in rags and placed in a feeding box for oxen, Jesus was like us: helpless as a baby, forsaken as an adult, and subjected to suffering and death.
This is reason enough for joy. We worship a mighty, holy God who found a way to relate to us and meet us on our level. Yet there is an even more compelling reason to hold tightly onto joy at Christmas. When Jesus Christ came into His humanity, He was like us in every way except one. He had no sin, so that He could be the perfect sacrifice that would cancel our debt to God. Nothing else could accomplish this but Jesus. This is the reason our Christmas joy beats any earthly gift or celebration. When the Lord came, He came not only to be with us, but also to be our Savior, just as the angels told the shepherds. This is the best news we'll ever hear at Christmas! This is the source of joy behind all the warm fuzzies. This is the excitement behind every gift we unwrap. Unlike Santa, who vanishes into the night, Jesus is God with us forever, and unlike presents that break or are outgrown, the gift of salvation is eternal and does not fade or run out. The best news you will ever hear at Christmas is not "Santa Claus is coming to town”, but "The Lord is come”. Joy to the world!
There is nothing wrong with gifts and traditions that have become a part of Christmas over the years, but these things only bring temporary happiness at best.. Christmas happiness is as far removed from Christmas joy as the North Pole is from Bethlehem. Christmas joy is for all people, not just those who can afford a pile of this year's trending gifts. Christmas joy lasts all year long, and as the song says, Christmas brings joy to the whole world, because the Lord has come in the flesh in an act of amazing love for the whole world. Jesus didn't just come for some, but for all. There is a reason why Jesus Christ came in human flesh, the heavenly son of an earthly mother. The name Immanuel, "God with us" is one of the sweetest of God's many names. After Jesus came, God was no longer just God above us or God separate from us, but rather, God who shares our grief, hunger, loss, and pain. Wrapped in rags and placed in a feeding box for oxen, Jesus was like us: helpless as a baby, forsaken as an adult, and subjected to suffering and death.
This is reason enough for joy. We worship a mighty, holy God who found a way to relate to us and meet us on our level. Yet there is an even more compelling reason to hold tightly onto joy at Christmas. When Jesus Christ came into His humanity, He was like us in every way except one. He had no sin, so that He could be the perfect sacrifice that would cancel our debt to God. Nothing else could accomplish this but Jesus. This is the reason our Christmas joy beats any earthly gift or celebration. When the Lord came, He came not only to be with us, but also to be our Savior, just as the angels told the shepherds. This is the best news we'll ever hear at Christmas! This is the source of joy behind all the warm fuzzies. This is the excitement behind every gift we unwrap. Unlike Santa, who vanishes into the night, Jesus is God with us forever, and unlike presents that break or are outgrown, the gift of salvation is eternal and does not fade or run out. The best news you will ever hear at Christmas is not "Santa Claus is coming to town”, but "The Lord is come”. Joy to the world!