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The Joy of Christmas - Dec. 17th

Pastor Jim Quigley

Matthew 1:18-25; Revelation 21:1-4

Growing up, my wife's family had a tradition in which her parents would wrap the best present for each person in white tissue paper. When she woke up on Christmas morning, her brother and sisters would race out to their Christmas tree, bubbling over with eagerness. Their first goal was to find the present clad in a white garment of tissue paper. That wrapped present brought such joy to that little girl’s heart. 

In a way, that child-like joy points to the greatest joy we can experience. A joy that is not delivered in a box and placed on our front porch, but was delivered 2000 years ago into a feeding trough in a room filled with animals in the little town of Bethlehem. That child—born of the virgin Mary conceived by the miraculous power of God—is the source of our supreme joy. Why? Because He is Emmanuel—God with us.

It is utterly remarkable and one of the greatest miracles of all time that God would come down to be with us. In every other religion, the “gods” are distant and far removed from everyday life. They are indifferent to our worries and concerns. Or they are so mighty and powerful that they are transcendent and unapproachable. But only in Christianity did God come down to be with us. And not just be with us, but to rescue us. 

Yes, it is true that God is transcendent—He is all powerful and His thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). But He also demonstrated perfect humility and compassion by sending Jesus—who is God the Son—to come down from the throne room of heaven to live among us (Philippians 2:5-11). And in coming down to be with us, Jesus showed tremendous compassion (Isaiah 40:11; John 10:14-15), sympathized with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15), and ultimately sacrificed Himself in order to save us from damnation (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18). God is not distant and indifferent. He is the God who is there. The God who cares. The God who is with us. 

And therein lies the source of our greatest joy. Knowing that God is with us gives us the confidence that we are not walking through this life alone. We have a perfectly good, compassionate, loving God who is with us and who cares about us. If we trust that He is with us always and will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), then we can experience true and ultimate joy no matter the circumstances of life. In whatever hardships, sufferings, or anxieties we are going through, we can still experience serious—that is, not flippant or fake—joy because we know that God is with us (2 Corinthians 6:10). 

There are many things that can bring us joy: family, friends, gifts, etc. But all of these things are temporary and fleeting. Sadly, family members will at some point pass away. Friends might move out of state, and you may lose touch with them. Gadgets and toys will over time lose their luster and appeal that they had at first. Joy in these earthly things is temporary. But the joy that comes from the gift of God’s presence is eternal.

So this Christmas, maybe you'll have presents encased in white tissue paper like my wife or maybe some more traditional wrapping paper will cover gifts under your tree. Let the temporary joy you get from the presents you receive and the presents you give remind you of the eternal joy we have now in the presence of Christ. And let it also point you to the fuller joy we will have when we are forever in the presence of Jesus in heaven, with no more tears, grief, sorrow, or pain (Revelation 21:3-4).

And if you won't have gifts under your tree this Christmas, would you remember that the void and sadness you feel is only temporary. Consider how that void points to our longing to be more intimately in God's presence forever in heaven. Be comforted—and find joy—knowing that Jesus is coming back for us and that one day, that longing in our hearts will forever be made whole.

Rejoice in the gift that God gave us that first Christmas. He gave us the present of His presence. Jesus is Emmanuel—God with us. Allow the astounding reality stir in you a serious, everlasting joy no matter your circumstances.  

Reflection:

  1. How have you found more joy in worldly things instead of in God?
  2. How does knowing that God is with you change your perspective on how to live and experience joy?
  3. Read Revelation 21:1-4 and reflect on the joy we will have in God’s presence in heaven.
  4. Share this devotional with one believer and one nonbeliever and talk with them individually about it.