Newborn babies always bring an unspeakable joy, a light behind the eyes, a glow of warmth to the heart of the one who holds them. Mary and Joseph no doubt felt this joy as they held their newborn son, Jesus.
But the advent of Jesus brought a new understanding of joy. Joy is not only to be felt when our hands and hearts are full. Certainly, we should be joyful in making memories around the Christmas tree, seeing the delight on little faces on Christmas morning, and holding loved ones we haven’t embraced in years.
But what about those who ache over the empty seat at the table where their loved one used to sit? What about those who are alone on Christmas morning? Can they be joyful?
Jesus came to bring us joy even in our sadness and suffering.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 says:
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
Jesus came to bring us a joy that far outweighs any temporal happiness this world can offer:
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound” (Psalms 4:7).
The reason this joy is greater than anything else can offer is because the source of this joy is God himself. This joy is only found in his presence.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalms 16:11).
“The hope of the righteous brings joy,” and that hope is found in the coming of our Savior, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus looked past his suffering to the greater joy of redeeming you and I from our sins so that we could share in his perfect joy for eternity.
So, this Christmas season, whether your tree is bountiful or barren, look to Jesus who came to be our exceeding joy and place your hope in him.
Parker Christian Editing 