Desires of the Heart

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

Joy: not to be confused with happiness, joy is not fleeting or based on circumstances, joy is a deep everlasting sense of contentment, the ability to smile when everything seems wrong in the world around you, the source of true joy is Jesus

We often measure our joy by the tangible blessings in our lives instead of focusing on God, the source of true joy. We try to attain joy through our families, our careers, our income, our vacations, or our accomplishments. These things can bring temporal happiness but never true joy. Happiness is a fleeting external emotion that is centered on self fulfillment. Our happiness can be attained within this world and can negatively affect others. While joy is a stable state of being not attained, but gifted from God. It is internal, good, selfless, and naturally flows into the lives of others.  

The angel announced good tidings of joy. What was to bring this joy? Jesus! Let’s think for a moment about to whom this message was given. Luke 2 tells us of shepherds keeping watch over their flocks in the field when this glorious appearing of an angel with an announcement of a Savior occurs. Shepherding was not a pleasant lifestyle my friends. It was hard, dirty work with little reward. This was looked on as a lowly state of being. Yet, God chose these humble people who dedicated their lives to caring for the flock to be the first to receive the announcement. Note that the angel said that the joy would be to all people. This Savior, Jesus, and the joy that He brings was to be a gift for all people. All people includes you and me, no matter our past or future mistakes. The birth of Jesus is not a one and done night of joy. This joy is timeless, everlasting, and is offered to each of us.

Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:20-24

Jesus tells the disciples of weeping and sorrow, pain and anguish, but then of a joy that will fill them and can not be taken away. As He prepared for His own sacrifice, death on the cross as punishment for our sin, He assures His beloved of the joy this act will bring them. In this world we have sorrow and pain but we can have joy in the person of Jesus. His birth and death were a gift given to us. Let us receive the gift He has so freely given and rejoice!

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:9-12

Father and Son have loved us from the beginning. Let us abide in that unconditional, never ending love. Let us show our love by keeping His commands and loving one another. Then our joy will be full. I challenge you to rejoice and share that joy with others this Christmas season. If we abide in Him we can’t help but to radiate joy just as the angels did that night.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of joy through your Son Jesus. Help us to lay aside the sorrows and pain of this world and be filled with the Spirit of Joy. Thank you for your love. Help us to abide in You so that we may extend that same love and joy to those around us today. Amen

Dig Deeper: Luke 2, John 15, John 16

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