There is an absolute need to reclaim the joy of Christmas for every day living! The other day I read a report that saddened me. The report stated that for many people Christmas is the most stressful time of the year. More people suffer from worrying and anxiety. Many get depressed because of finances, whilst others suffer from grieve and disappointment during Christmas more than any other season in their lives. Now then, where does this kind of report come from? Because it is definitely not from God! This is a total distortion of God’s will and purpose. Take a look at what God says about Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ in Luke 2,
“But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth
, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:10 -14)
Can you see? Armies of angels bursting with joy, singing praises unto God! They were praising God because something wonderful, something brand new had happened on the landscape of the earth. The Saviour of the world is born! Prior to Christ birth, Mankind was held bound by sin; anguish, grieve, hopelessness, death and all that come with the fallen nature. Jesus came for one reason, and that is: to give us LIFE. And not just an any kind of life, but an ABUNDANT Life. That is what Jesus said,
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (John 10:10)
Also, take a look at the first sermon Jesus preached when He came to earth:
“”The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], 19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound].” (Luke 4:18-19)
Come on! Jesus is talking, good news, forgiveness, salvation, plentiful and abundant free favor of God to all mankind.
Before Jesus came the devil had a filled day given people anguish and grieve, there was no true joy and peace. Until God came to us. The day Jesus Christ was born true joy hit this earth, the very joy that God has in heaven came to live with us on earth. “Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel—which, when translated, means, God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
Emmanuel means God is with us, God living with us is not sad news, but exceedingly glad news! Christianity is not just for Christmas day it’s for everyday living. Jesus came on the first Christmas morning 2000 years ago to give us an abundant Life, and He is still living with us today.
Jesus said, “behold, I am with you all the days perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion, to the [very] close and consummation of the age” (Matthew 28:20) Also Hebrews reinforces this fact,
“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not,[I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” (Hebrews 13:5)
Jesus Christ lives round the clock in the heart of everyone who has received Him as saviour and Lord. Because Christ lives in us we have direct assess to the Joy of God. And that is Good news indeed!
The negative reports the media and others have about Christmas shows how the devil can distort something good when we don’t have an understanding of the Word of God says about our situation, it shows how cares and anxiety of this world can rub us of God’s peace and joy, if we don’t stand by faith and kick the devil out of what God says is ours.
I pray you are encouraged by this word, that you let the joy out this Christmas and all through the year. Let us not focus on the negative things and lose sight of God’s gift to us, His Son Jesus Christ. Let us remember that God is not absent but with us everyday. God, Emmanuel is with us! Amen.
Praying the very best of this season for you! God bless!
Shade
Related articles
- The Principles of Christmas and the Person of Christmas (godcenteredyouthministry.com)
- John Piper Answers the Question: “What Does Jesus Want for Christmas?” In Advent 2013 Devotional Book (blackchristiannews.com)
- Day 6 – Advent (iamher1988.wordpress.com)
- Christmas in Isaiah (jayopsis.wordpress.com)
- “Protecting Ourselves Against Agitation During The Christmas Season and FOREVER” (rcvisionministry.wordpress.com)
- The Greatest Story Ever Told (mrdustindavis.wordpress.com)
It’s amazing how the enemy of our souls can weigh people down with discontentment and stress we they choose to focus on the amount of gifts given, instead of celebrating the True Gift given by God to the world. I’m letting the Joy Out!
So right, having the right focus is key. Thanks for reading and the insight shared. Have Joyful Christmas count down!! Blessings as always! 🙂
A wonderful word, Shade!!! You are a true blessing!
Thanks. Love your new profile photo! You’re looking so sweet Girl!!! God bless you Sis. 🙂
Amen to that! Thanks for the pingback.