Joy to the world

Undergirding all the activities we see around us at this time, is the quiet confidence that God has indeed invaded our lives. Not only did he enter the human race at that first Christmas, but He also entered our own piece of history. The birth of Jesus provided the rebirth of our soul. We became a new creation in Christ.

Yet, for some at Christmas, joy is absent. It is but a hollow day instead of a holiday. Covid-19 has affected some lives. The ‘good tidings of great joy’ are not real for them. Missing from their lives, is the pleasant assurance that life has meaning. They are lost in the artificial whirlwind of Christmas. The decorating, baking, gift buying, and other activities of Christmas are but one more hassle in their already gloomy lives. During this season believers light the ‘candle of joy’, because we believe people can indeed be freed from the dullness and boredom of life. The birth of Jesus provides the joy of abundant living.

Matt.1:21-23 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Luke 2:10-11, “Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.’”

God the Son entered our world, not to the sounds of trumpets to welcome a new king or a coronation of a new king. He came in one “Silent Night” on the Judean hills, he entered our world through a stable, barely 20 kilometres from the capital Jerusalem. The angels sang joyfully the first Christmas songs; Luke 2:13-14 says, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

By the grace of God, because we have received salvation so rich and free, we can also experience and sing “Glory to God in the highest…” “Joy to the world,” “Silent night,” “Hark the Herald” etc. Have a joyful Christmas. Remember: all by grace and by grace alone.