joy
/joi/
the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.
Why is the Christmas season so stressful and full of anxiety? The bombardment of media ads seems to start the day after Halloween, jumping straight to Christmas. It’s like the world has completely forgotten about Thanksgiving and taking time to reflect on the blessings of life. It becomes all about the perfect gift (more on the receiving end than the giving). Let’s be honest, how many of us are more worried and anxious about what we might get for Christmas rather than focusing on giving to others? Yet the bible says that it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Or maybe your worried that they wont like what you got them. Making sure to include a gift receipt so that they can exchange it. What does this say about our culture?
Go with me for a second to the Tabernacle of the Lord as described in the book of Exodus. It consisted of the outer courtyard, the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. Between the outer court and the Holy place there was a bronze basin (or laver) made of mirrors and filled with water. The priests were required to stop here and wash their hands and feet before entering into the Holy place. The laver was lined with mirrors, causing the priests to look upon themselves, or examine themselves before going near the Presence of the Lord.
This makes me think that maybe the placement of Thanksgiving before Christmas, on the calendar, was very intentional. That maybe it was meant to give us the opportunity to slow down our busy lives for just a little while and reflect on the most important things in life. Allowing us to prepare our hearts before entering in to the full holiness of Christmas. And we are missing it! I mean, come on, the day after Thanksgiving is called “Black Friday”
So, in the midst of all the chaos and nonsense that seems to accompany the holiday season, how do we go about creating an atmosphere of joy in our family gatherings, our workplaces and our communities?
First of all, we just choose joy in our own life. Great delight caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying. How do we do this? We go to the source of all joy, Jesus Christ!
Luke 2:10 “but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”
When we focus on Jesus and allow His joy to well up inside of us, we have no choice but to spread that joy around. Otherwise, we would explode! Joy is contagious. Joy is remarkable. And Joy is unstoppable because it doesn’t depend on our circumstances. In fact, when we choose joy in the midst of our circumstances, it becomes even more powerful. I have many friends who have been missionaries in Africa. They have told me that the people that they encounter are often full of joy even though they have nothing. We here in America have everything but lack joy. We lose sight of what’s most important in the midst of our blessings. But if we are looking for our possessions to bring us joy and happiness, then we will always be disappointed. That’s why Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than it is for the rich to enter into heaven.
So, if you are looking for the perfect gift this holiday season, it has already been given and paid for. And His name is Jesus.
“God so loved the world, that he GAVE His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16 (emphasis added)