It might be hard to have joy this season. Epic plagues ravage the world. Natural disasters are destroying cities and killing scores. Governments threaten global and civil war in every country. Corporations and organizations have the power to steal and kill and destroy. Families are at war with each other, dragging up past hurts, and fighting over current events.
How can we have joy?
Things aren’t so different than they were 2000 years ago. Rome. Greece. Vesuvius. Atlantis. Jew. Gentile. But then God… and a huge army of angels appeared to some lowly shepherds in the fields outside of the tiny town of Bethlehem on the outskirts of Jerusalem. And 2000 years later we still sing Joy to the Word about these events.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 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, good will toward men. (Luke 2:8-14 KJV)
- The real story of Christmas: Unto us a child is born
- Jesus Christ is the Messiah
- Biblical signs and wonders confirm God’s word
Remember the promise
But even in these turbulent times, Christians can have peace and joy. Our lifestyle can be a beacon of hope for a lost and dying world.
He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send forth the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:44-49 WEB)
For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above–spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. (Ephesians 2:8-10 AMP)
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 WEB)
Look to the future
We have been promised incomparable joy. Eternal life with a loving almighty God. How can we not rejoice now?
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 WEB)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:18-25 WEB)