The Gift of Joy

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39-55, Isaiah 9:1-8

We sing and enjoy Christmas Carols every year. It seems like no matter how many years we have sung these same songs, we love to sing them again.

What happens when we sing? When I sing I experience joy. The Bible tells us that angels sing when they experience joy. So somewhere between our vocal chords and our hearts a song of joy can be produced.

Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced with each other over the conception of their children, one of whom was the Messiah. They were truly joyful mothers. In Luke 1:46-47 we read, And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior . . .

Talk about a song of joy! Not only were these two women filled with joy and song, but the baby, soon to be born and named John, leapt for joy even in his mother’s womb.

There must have been something special going on! And indeed there was. That baby that Mary was carrying was coming into this world for a powerful reason. He was coming so that every person could know joy!

Many years prior to the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah found joy in a promise he never fully realized, but knew to be true. He wrote with joy that our Savior would be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6). And because this prophecy is now fulfilled we can discover and rediscover the joyful presence of the One who came for us.

And then we shall sing. We shall sing with the angels and those believers who have gone before us. We shall sing with hearts full of joy, not only on this Christmas Day but throughout all our days ahead.

Question of the Day:

How can we encourage someone else to experience and express the joy of the Lord this Advent season?

Copyright M.R.Hyde 2011