Merry Christmas.
When you read that, think not
of cliche sayings from holiday cards, for I truly wish you joy and merriment,
but not only what the world gives. The best the world can give at Christmas is
great food, great company, great presents, sparkly lights, and laughter in our
gatherings. And it’s all wonderful, true, but it’s fleeting. The next day the
calendar reads December 26 and life is the same again, after all that
preparation and merriment.
It can be a let down after
all the anticipation, but December 26 doesn't have to be like this. Remember, an angel appeared to the shepherds
in the field, and the message given forever changed the human condition.
Luke 2:8-11
And in that region there
were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I
bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this
day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
“Good news of great joy.” What is this, exactly? When
we seek and find the answer to this question, our joy is not only complete, but
everlasting. December 26 and every day after it becomes a manifestation of the
good news the angel announced.
When a newborn baby arrives in this world, it’s
an occasion for joyous thanksgiving and celebration, for babies represent hope
in the future. Babies are a new beginning, enriching and changing the course of
our lives forever. Blessed is the family who welcomes a baby, either their own
or one lovingly adopted. Either way, a baby is a blessed gift. Think of that
joy! Nothing can match it on earth, for babies are a miracle so perfect, only
God could be the Designer.
How fitting, then, that the good news of great joy came in the form of a baby…but this
Christmas baby? He is more than hope,
more than joy, more than blessing. He
is Life itself! He came to give us Life—an overflowing spirit of peace in
our hearts while we dwell here for such a fleeting time, and later, eternity
spent in His presence. This later is
oh so much greater than this now…this
now being as a vapor.
Eternity
spent in His presence. Think of the magnificence of that truth, as well as
the comfort and inner peace He gives on earth amidst every ailment, every
disorder, and every sorrow.
For four hundred years before the Baby was born
to us, God was silent. No prophets, no miracles, no news; nothing but
frightening quietness.
And then,
suddenly, there is good news of great joy, as
foretold by the prophets so long ago. God planned
this day we call Christmas. He planned
this good news. He foretold this
Great Rescue, as we see in Micah and Isaiah, Old Testament books.
Micah
5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Eph′rathah, who are little
to be among the clans of Judah Israel
Isaiah
7:14 Therefore
the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and
bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Immanuel? It means God with us. The long-awaited Messiah, the
source of Life, the solution to our separation from a perfect, Holy God, has
come. He is here. There is no separation
for those who trust in Him. No more unanswered need, unanswered sorrow. No more
emptiness of spirit. After four hundred silent years, and many more years of
turmoil and failed allegiance, as documented in the Old Testament Bible, the Savior, the Messiah, has come.
I wish you a slow down, a
time to set aside the offerings of a worldly Christmas. Trade what the world offers for joy everlasting…joy that doesn't end at midnight on December 26. Make the Christ Child your own good news this year,
for the angel said: I bring you good news of a
great joy which will come to all the people “.
He was born for you. Enter into Joy everlasting. Take him into your arms, into your heart, where every baby longs to be. He is the good news of great joy your soul longs for. No one and nothing can ever fill us as He does. He is Immanuel, God with us. With is a joyous concept to hold on to, for it means we are never forsaken, never alone, always loved.
He was born for you. Enter into Joy everlasting. Take him into your arms, into your heart, where every baby longs to be. He is the good news of great joy your soul longs for. No one and nothing can ever fill us as He does. He is Immanuel, God with us. With is a joyous concept to hold on to, for it means we are never forsaken, never alone, always loved.
Wow! That is good news of great joy!
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