THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS
For those walking in darkness
They have seen a great light.
Isaiah 9:1-2
Oh, the anticipation of this advent season has led to this moment. The familiar cues that come with the Christmas season are everywhere — the sounds of Christmas music, the smells of evergreens and cinnamon, the lights and decorations that appear earlier and earlier each year. We have had our feel of Christmas food, Christmas carols, Christmas shopping, Christmas movies, and Christmas parties. This familiarity and nostalgia give us the joy of Christmas and make Christmas “the most wonderful time of the year” while giving us a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.
Yet, the Christmas season bombards us with promises of pleasure through receiving the perfect gift. If I could just get that red bow on a new car, then life would be okay. If someone special gave me that ring or necklace, then I’d know I’m loved. But we all know better once we turn off the Hallmark movie. We know this Christmas will look much like the ones before. Most of us will eat too much food and gain too much weight. We will open gifts that we really don’t need. Our loved ones won’t love their presents as much we thought they would. Thus, anticipation will give way to disappointment at some point when nostalgia doesn’t match reality. Yet there is more!
Empty Words
I’m sure you, like me, have been reading for a month all decorative signs, advertisements, and commercials encouraging us with the familiar messages: “Just Believe”, “Have Faith” and “A Season of Hope.” At first glance, these tidings may warm our hearts as we go about our way, humming Christmas music while we drive. However, as I stop to reflect on these expressions, I wonder, What exactly do they mean? Because each of these statements is missing an essential element which is the object of one’s belief, faith, and hope. These familiar Christmas phrases are problematic because they’re incomplete. It’s not enough to simply be a hopeful person or be full of faith. Instead, we must consider exactly where we’re placing our belief, faith, and hope. The object of our faith is the essential substance of it. When we lose sight of the actual meaning of our faith, we lose the very thing that sustains it.
The Greatest Gift
God did not send His son to this world to congratulate the successful and high-five those who have their lives together. Isaiah 9:1-2 says, “for those walking in darkness — they have seen a great light…” not “O come all ye faithful, joyful, and triumphant” – otherwise none of us could be there. No! Christmas is for the faithless, joyless, and defeated. Christmas is a message of hope for the hopeless. “And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) The greatest gift ever given was given on Christmas day when God the Father gave us His son! Hope and joy at Christmas come from knowing that Christ’s life began in a cradle and ended on a cross. His death-conquering death was followed by life-giving resurrection. As a result of his death and resurrection, we can be sure that the day will come when we sing together like never before, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found!”
Without Jesus, our belief has no merit, our faith has no basis, and our hope has no anchor. In Jesus, we find the joy of believing. In Jesus, we know this to be a season of hope. In Jesus, we find the substance of our faith. I hope on this Christmas day you will be reminded of the Good News about the child who was born in a manger, who eventually died on a cross making it possible for every miserable sinner who comes to Christ in faith to become a child of God.
All for His glory,
~ Bro Greg Lakes
Additional Reading:
Choose To Rejoice
Confident Hope