Joy to the World

1 Peter 1:6-9

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

The closer we approach the day we have come to know as Christmas Day, people from all over the world, who celebrate this day, are busy about decorating their homes. Churches are preaching about the Advent season of hope, peace, joy and love. Songs of the holiday season are played in almost every shopping mart and mall. Kids are lining up to pay old Saint Nick a visit and perhaps a photo opp with the man in red.

Yet, many are only focused on celebrating the holiday, we know as Christmas, in a commercial sense. Stores and manufacturers are garnering profits in hopes of exceeding the previous year's intake. Children are glued to the TV commercials exploiting the latest toy or gizmo that will cause a calmoring at the local stores. Parties and festivals are held with all the glim and glamour of the holiday. And people will appear to be particularly happy. Some might say they are joyful at this time of year.

But what does that really mean? Is the joy one experiences only happiness in disguise? Or is it a joy that dwells deep down inside knowing that a Savior has come into the world? Is it a joy, as Peter describes as inexpressible?

Have you ever been so full of gladness, that you cannot bring words to describe it? That's the kind of joy Peter mentions. It's not about a season of time or a singular day of the year that brings joy into the world. But a total recognition and acknowledgment of God's grace and mercy, through His abiding love for mankind, that He offered as a special gift to each and every person born into this world.

Of course, this gift was born by the power of the Holy Spirit, in a stable to two young and humble Jews - one, a virgin girl - in a small town called Bethlehem - King David's birthplace. This long awaited gift came in the form of God wrapped in human flesh. God came down from the glories of heaven and appeared to man in the likeness of man. Humble, lowly and gracious, this Child named Jesus was the promised Messiah. The promised gift of salvation for the whole world. And to everyone who confesses He is Lord, He touches and saves them.

Joy had finally came into the world. Sadly, many missed receiving this joy because they did not know Him. Sadly more, people to this day still reject Jesus as Lord. Our shopping malls, schoolhouses, and workplaces go about decorating their properties with festive trinkets of the holiday, but a vast majority have all but depleted and deleted any evidence of the true Christmas.

Instead, lawsuits and lawmakers have all but eliminated Jesus from this holiday and have replaced with a worldly joy - that is nothing more than a temporary moment of happiness. For soon after the New Year is rung in, people go back to status quo. Easter isn't even given much regard to Christ's work on the cross anymore. It too has become nothing more than a monument of worldly stuff.

If joy is to occupy a place in your heart, what kind of joy is it? Will it last only until Christmas day passes? Or will it become entwinned in your heart and sustain throughout the rest of your life in the truth of who Jesus is, why He came and what He did for you?

Joy is something that can and will help you not only susatin, but endure this life as we know it. The Holy Spirit promised to do just that. It's one thing to light the candle of Joy on the advent wreath, but it's another thing to light the wick of Joy in your heart.

In Christ,

Pastor Tom