Joy
“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” Luke 2:10
Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, right? Then why do many of us struggle to find joy during the Christmas season? Maybe it’s because we confuse joy with feeling good.
In a culture that promotes feeling good all the time, we tend to pursue doing whatever it takes to make our lives happier. The truth is that no amount of material things or comforts can compensate for a lack of joy that we experience in the depths of our soul.
The true source of joy is not in our circumstances or in what we own. It lies in “Emmanuel,” the name that means “God with us”. Joy is not found in what is external, but in WHO lives within us.
That is the remarkable story of our Savior. JESUS IS JOY to the world. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). He came to restore that which was lost, to bring light into darkness, and to reconcile us to God. It is the gift of indescribable joy He brought to us.
Friends, I understand that the intensity of life may have dampened your joy, but it’s not lost. The good news of Jesus is SO good because it doesn’t lose its value, despite how we feel. Thankfully, it is not like an old toy you received years ago that no longer has value, shoved away in a box somewhere. Jesus assures his disciples that “though you will be sorrowful, your sorrow will turn to joy” (Jn. 16:20). Sorrow is temporary. Joy is everlasting. No matter what you are experiencing in this season, God comes to make all things new. He can restore places in our hearts that may have lost joy. Today it is a simple cry from your heart, “Lord, restore to me the joy of my salvation” (Ps.51:12).
I pray that this Christmas season you would receive that gift of joy afresh. If you’ve never received that gift, this is your day, and this is your time. Jesus wants to bring you joy right in the middle of your situation. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Don’t seek feelings of happiness, instead concentrate on the Savior. Let’s remind ourselves of who He is and what He came to do, then we will experience the wonderful fulfillment of the angel's announcement.
Pastor Andrea Galindo