What’s the best way to get into the Spirit of Christmas? One of the ways I love to get into the Christmas mood is by listening and singing to traditional Christmas carols. For decades, I’ve sung Christmas carols with my family and church. These songs usher in the joy of the season. For example, the first stanza of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” reminds us that those who are joyful and triumphant should come and adore the newborn king.
Right now, I don’t see much joy in this world, so how do we come before the Chosen King with joy?
Joy often appears in a fleeting moment of time:
Joy can be manifested in physical things, like a cup of hot cocoa on a cold day, sitting next to a bonfire. Or decorating the Christmas tree as a family, fondly remembering past Christmases as we hang up the ornaments. We have been blessed by numerous things–things we take for granted and daily use. These things can bring us joy in a moment of time.
But I would like to focus on a more resilient joy, the joy that is derived from the depths of your heart. Here’s an example of what I mean: In high school, I loved playing the game of football. Strength training by lifting weights, jumping rope and riding my bike, all these activities contributed to the development of my strength and stamina. When football season started, I was in good physical health. I was ready for the challenge of my senior year. Going into the season, I had high expectations. I was expecting our team to make the state playoffs. If I remember correctly, we only won about half our games. To say the least, I was disappointed in the outcome. After my last game was played, I decided to give up playing football, not sure if any small college prospects would pick me up anyway. My heart was no longer in the game. My joy left.
Some people run the Christian race in the same way, all gung-ho and developing Christlike character, but along the way life circumstances become daunting. Obstacles looming ahead hinder continued progress in the race. Suddenly, their hearts are no longer in the race. Their joy in the Christian walk has left.
So how do you continue in the Christian race and not lose your joy during difficult circumstances? My suggestion is to look at our Savior’s example.
Let’s look at Hebrews 12:1-2:
12 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking only at Jesus, the [a]originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
According to Hebrews 12, Jesus’ joy set before Him was the path to a horrific death on a cross, but, at the end of His suffering, He also knew He would take His place at the right hand of God. Jesus’ joy was derived from knowing He would be back in the presence of God, who then honored Jesus with the seat at His right hand. Jesus didn’t want to go through suffering; He didn’t want to die, but He knew it was His mission from God the Father. Acknowledging this was the path that God had laid before Him, Jesus joyfully accepted His mission and became our sacrifice which allowed the entire human race to be released from the death penalty, caused by sin passed down from generation to generation.
A believer’s joy is a heart attitude, the confidence of knowing you are on mission with God. Maybe the circumstances in this life are daunting; maybe the obstacles are enormous. God says you can overcome this world. Why? Because Jesus overcame the world, and He will lead you through this life; as long as you focus on Him, He will carry you on through the path God has laid before you. When you have crossed the finish line of this life, you will hear the Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” I guarantee when that moment occurs, you will not be disappointed.
Joy began with the baby in a manger who grew into a man that offered up His life for all humanity’s sin and was raised to new life after three days. With the price Jesus paid by the sacrifice of His life, finally Death’s unrelenting grasp on our souls was relinquished. The Savior’s mission was completed, and He took His rightful place at the right hand of God. For the believer, this is the reason for joy in our hearts and why we can triumphantly come before our Savior and worship Him despite of the world’s circumstances, knowing at some point we will also be physically in the presence of our God and Savior. When that happens, our joy will be complete, but, in the meantime, let us come and adore Him this Christmas season for the wonderful works He has done and the life He has bestowed upon us in addition to the promise of eternal life, basking in the presence of the One True God. This is the gift of joy that only Jesus can offer!
Tell me, have you opened this gift yet?
I pray that your joy would be found in our Savior, and I wish you a Merry Christmas!
Psalms 51:12, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Discussions to make God known 