Christmas is a wonderful time of celebrating and entertaining. We decorate, we entertain, we reach out to family and friends. But this year is different. As I canceled another event, I was reminded of a verse - “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17
This Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent and our theme is “great joy”. The Bible speaks a lot about joy. James reminds us – “whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:2-3
The Psalmist said, “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5
Jesus proclaimed, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11
This is the season of joy. And the coming of the Messiah gives great joy! But without an eternal spiritual perspective our joy can easily be quenched. This Christmas season may we too be "overwhelmed with joy" and reflect the same joy that the wise men had when they saw the Messiah:
"When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11
With joy, Pastor Michele