Christmas, the only holiday celebrated worldwide. No matter where you are in the world today, people are in the Christmas spirit. In America, it is so commercialized. It is about shopping, gifts, decorating and of course food. We all overeat, overspend, in general, go overboard to make everything perfect. Finally, the day arrives, and you can just put all that running around behind and stop to enjoy time with friends and family. Today, I ask you, do you genuinely have the Joy of Christmas in your heart, or are you to stressed out about the gifts, food, and the parties? The calendar says you should be happy and be in the Christmas spirit, but is that the reality in your heart? Let’s look at Christmas from the biblical perspective, are you to be HAPPY or JOYFUL?
What is the difference between joy and happiness? Many of us confuse the meaning or all together misunderstand it. Many of us see no difference between the two. Joy is an internal emotion. It comes when you are in peace, knowing what you possess. Joy comes from within. Happiness, on the other hand, is externally triggered and is based on things, places, people, and events. There is a reason why we say “MERRY” Christmas. The word Merry means to be cheerful, joyful despite your circumstances. We are to have merry Christmas, not because of the gifts we receive but rather the GIFT we received in Christ. Which one of us would not be happy if we received a new car or expensive jewelry? Any gift we receive will make us happy up to a point, and this is what the world sells. This is what a Christmas is to those who do not know Christ. But, those of us who know Christ, our source of joy has nothing to do with external blessings, but the inner peace we have and the assurance that God is in control of all the details of our life and joy feels our hearts.
Let’s look at that first Christmas day where there was no Christmas tree, certainly no Santa ( he is Bogus), no bright lights or decoration, but angels addressing the shepherds on a cold night.
10 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. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Angels did not say just Joy but a great Joy to ALL people not only to Jews or today we might say Christians but to ALL. And, what is the reason for that joy, a savior, is born. Do you lack the Christmas spirit today? Perhaps you are in a hospital or loved one is sick; maybe you are unemployed, maybe marriage is breaking apart, the world is celebrating, and the calendar says you are supposed to be happy, but you don’t feel in your heart. May I suggest you focus on savior rather than circumstances. Perhaps you are missing the joy because you have not given your heart to the savior. Christ is the spirit of Christmas. He gave the ultimate gift to all of us, our salvation, and by His blood, we have eternal life.
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
How about this Christmas you do what the shepherds did? They decided to go and check what the angels said. Many people have shared the Gospel with you. Some of you have grown up in the church and have heard the Christmas story and Gospel all your life, why not explore what God has made known to you? And, like the shepherds, if you come to Christ, you will experience the joy yourself.
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made [f]widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Like shepherds, once you experience it, you will not be able to stay quite. Shepherds were the lowest cast in the society at that time, and they were not educated nor were respected nor had any religious training, yet they were proclaiming Christ to all boldly. It is impossible to contain joy once you personally experience Christ. The above passage teaches three essential aspects of Christmas. Those who heard marveled by sharing of shepherds, Mary pondered, and shepherds glorified. Many marvel today, they marvel at the bright lights, decorations, Christmas displays. Some like Mary, go beyond marveling to ponder the story of Christ. They try to be spiritual, maybe attend church on Christmas, read the Christmas story in the bible, or sing few carols, but pure joy comes from praising and glorifying Jesus.
In closing, I want to draw your attention to the three wise men who come to see Jesus. They come bearing gifts, and I believe that’s where we get our tradition of exchanging gifts, and today, Christmas is less about Jesus and more about Santa Which is very sad. Speaking of traditions, most Christmas traditions have pagan roots such as carol singing and tree. I hope most of you know Jesus was not born on December 25th. Anyway, that is another writing for another day.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2
Did you notice their reaction upon seeing Jesus? They rejoiced and had great joy. They simply fell down in worship. Do you have this reaction to Jesus? If you don’t, perhaps you have not met savior yet. Joy and worship are instant reactions upon coming in the presence of God. This Christmas, I want to draw your attention to the reason for our JOY. The wise men bought gifts, gold, which recognizes Jesus as the king. Frankincense, which identifies Jesus as the priest. Most of us have no issue with gold and frankincense. We give our tithes and superficially do worship, but we have fully not grasped the meaning of myrrh. Gold was presented to kings, and incense used in the temple. But myrrh is a spice that was used at the time of the death to mask the smell of the dead body. By presenting those three specific gifts to Christ, they were anointing Him king, priest, and Messiah. He came to die for you and me. To have real joy in heart, we need to die to ourselves and live for Jesus. Learning to live joyful life comes from knowing what Jesus has done and knowing He is coming back to take us home. Our bodies might be failing us today, and we may be struggling financially, your life may not be perfect, but this Christmas I want to put the joy of Christ in your heart. He has promised to wipe every tear and take away all pain. Come into His presence, and like the wise men, you will be exceedingly joyful. And look what it says in Isaiah 60:6 regarding His second coming They shall bring gold and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord. Do you notice, the second time around, there is no myrrh, just gold, and incense.
Jesus is the reason for my joy. I stand on His promises, and I am learning to be Joyful to live the victorious Christian life. Have a Merry Christmas. Enjoy your time with family and friends, May the joy of Jesus fill your heart. I leave with the words Paul wrote to Romans 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
only savior jesus 