Season of Joy

They call Christmas time a season of joy. And why not? At this time of year people seem to go out of their way to do nice things for people, like the story of the mom and her five kids in Charlotte, NC, who are being helped out this year with donations. We're joyful about anticipated gifts. We're joyful about cheery decorations and songs. It makes sense to call it a season of joy, even if not all are joyful at this time of year.

The thing is, it really should be a season of joy. A season that lasts the year and beyond. A joy that embraces even those who aren't so joyful. It should be, but sometimes we lose sight by looking at the short-term items and miss the bigger one.

Christmas is the beginning of the story of God's salvation for mankind. The beginning of that story is ... God Incarnate. It is a Savior who relinquished His throne to become a human being with an eye to the cross (Php 2:5-8). It was localized in the birth of a baby (Luke 2:7). The shepherds were given "good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). Wise men traveled far to worship Him (Matt 2:1-11). Simeon found his life's fulfillment in holding Him (Luke 2:25-32). Eighty-four-year-old Anna gave thanks to God for Him (Luke 2:36-38). Think of it. God the Father sent God the Son to be "God with us" -- Emmanuel. "Good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

There can be no better news. God sent His Son so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life (John 3:16). No better possible news. News of great joy. So we are commanded "Rejoice evermore" (1 Thess 5:16), "Rejoice in the Lord" (Php 3:1; 4:4), to "Make a joyful noise to the LORD" (Psa 98:4) and even to "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds" (James 1:2-4). Joy, you see, is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) and, as such, ought to mark our lives, not just the season.

We -- everyone -- encounter times when we lose our joy. I think it's a case of looking at the storm rather than at Christ. When the wise men were on their way to see Him, they were overwhelmed with joy (Matt 2:10). We get to see Him every day. We, too, ought to be overwhelmed with joy. Indeed, the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh 8:10). We have every reason to rejoice in the Lord always. Our season of joy ought to be lifelong. And we have "good news of great joy that will be for all the people."