Great Joy

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.'" Luke 2: 10, 11

    Christmas brought great joy to me as a child filled with wonder and excitement, but as I grew, so did the responsibilities and pressures of the season. Buying, wrapping, carding, baking, decorating and socializing replaced my childlike emotions. Like rampant weeds, they threatened to choke the joy I once had. 

    Not everyone at that first nativity experienced great joy. Take King Herod, for example, ruler of Judea. When the Magi followed the star to his province in search of the new King of the Jews, Herod's heart would not bend the knee for One who was greater than he. His selfish ambitions flamed into a murderously furious rage as he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem, in hopes of snuffing out the Messiah.

    In great contrast, these Magi were the wiser men because they had come to worship Him. Matthew's gospel tells us, "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:10, 11) They gave the best of what they had, gifts of great value given from a heart of worship.

    As my husband and I walked in the silent night of our neighborhood, Christmas lights twinkled like stars beneath moonlit clouds as a peace that passes all understanding enraptured my soul. The wonder and excitement of Immanuel, God with us, bent my heart in worship. Jesus, my King, Priest and Redeemer is worthy of all that I have to give! 

    The great joy of which the angel spoke does not stem from the materialism of the season but it is born in bowed hearts who recognize their need of a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Join the throngs of heaven in great joy and worship the King:

"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying, 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'" Revelation 5: 11, 12