What They Did Have Was Joy
By Carolyn Dale Newell
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 NKJV
Have you seen the Christmas movie about the elderly lady alone on Christmas reading her Bible? They never made a movie about it, but that is the reality for many folks this Christmas.
There is the mom who is crying because of her wayward child, and there is the family who watched their home burn to the ground. Many will not have family to spend time with, while others dread the family dinner.
For many people Christmas will not be the happiest time of the year, but the first Christmas wasn’t that happy either. Mary, nine months pregnant, was weary from the long journey on a donkey. They could not even get a room, and they had to bunk with the animals. On top of all that, these two teenagers had to deliver Baby Jesus on their own.
What they did have was joy!
They had the joy of birthing the Messiah into the world. They had the joy of knowing that God had chosen them for this honor. Their joy was in the fact that God loved them enough to send His Son to die in their place.
God loves us “so” much. No words can describe the depths of His Love. God’s Love is one that we cannot fathom. Paul wrote that it "passes knowledge" (Eph. 3:19). Jeremiah said,
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
God loves us when it seems like no one else does. God will not leave us even when others leave (Heb. 13:5).
Our Christmas may not be happy, but we can have joy. Jesus is our joy!
God loves you. Meditate on these verses: Rom. 8:38-39, 1 Cor. 2:9, Gal. 2:20, and 1 John 3:1. Make the effort to brighten the Christmas of someone who struggles during this season.
Father in heaven, You love me! I just want to stay in this moment and try to absorb the immeasurable love You have for me. Even when I fail, You love me. Thank You. I love You! Amen.
© 2018 by Carolyn Dale Newell. All rights reserved.
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