In the past few weeks we have celebrated the Advent of Christ by lighting the candle of Hope, the candle of Peace, and today we light the candle of Joy.  Just as our Hope is found in Christ and our Peace with God is manifest in Christ, so our Joy is made complete in Christ.

Luke 2:8-11 says:  “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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.”

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines Joy as – “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.”  But what if you just don’t feel joyful.  In Nehemiah’s day, the Children of Israel were not joyful.  In fact, they were filled with sorrow and for good reason.  After walking away from God and the teachings of the Law, the people of God had been lead away again into bondage.  Now they were returning to God and to the Law and upon hearing the Word of God, they were full of sorrow and weeping.

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is holy to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) 

Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now abide in my love.  If you keep my commands, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and abide in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11)

Do you have complete joy?  Many people have great difficulty getting into the “Christmas Spirit” because the circumstances of their life are such that a feeling of great pleasure and happiness does not seem possible.  However, what is impossible with us is possible with God.  The Apostle Paul, while sitting in prison said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)  We truly can have complete joy because we can have the joy of Christ as we abide in relationship with Him.

As we celebrate the coming of Christ, let us remember where our joy comes from - that even though we have failed Christ, He has not failed us.  Even though we have no cause to be joyful because of sin or the circumstances in which we find ourselves, He has given us complete Joy in Him.  The joy of the Lord is our strength!

Alan L. Thomas <><