This really is the most wonderful time of the year. We celebrate, laugh, give thoughtful gifts to each other, eat amazing food, and generally try harder to make this month joyful. But sometimes, even during Christmas, discontent still seeps in. Friends and family (or ourselves!) cause drama, coming up with ideas for perfect gifts stresses us out, packages aren’t delivered on time, the weather turns bad and prevents travel, every day is jam packed with things to do and places to be and we don’t get rest, or the opposite is true and we are isolated and alone for Christmas. A great way to stay joyful even when trials come our way is to dwell on the One who is the only source of true joy: Jesus.
Jesus is Emmanuel. The name Emmanuel means “God with us”. Ever since the garden, humans longed to be back in the presence of God, but sin prevented them. Mankind’s sin even turned them to create their own gods. Through Abraham, God chose a people to dwell with. But it took years before they had a home. He gave Moses instructions for a tabernacle so God could safely dwell with His people. But the only one who could enter His presence was the high priest and that was only once a year. Much later, Solomon built a glorious temple so that people might come and worship God, but the veil in the holy of holies still divided the people. But now, the veil has been torn and God no longer needs us to be clean to be in His presence. Jesus, Emmanuel, bridged the gap between our sin and God’s holiness and His death and resurrection give us a way to be in God’s presence (Heb. 10:19-22). Rejoice!
Jesus is The Bread of Life. Food is so delicious. It satisfies our hunger and it tastes amazing. God could have created us to eat bland paste once a day to receive all of the nutrients we need. Instead, He created a wonderful world full of delicious foods for us to enjoy. Humans not only have a physical need for sustenance, but a spiritual need to be fed as well. We yearn for spiritual satisfaction in our souls. Christ is that sustenance. God gave us His Son, The Word made flesh, for us to dine on (John 6:35-40). And we who are saved partake through reading the Bible, prayer, worship, and service to God. Rejoice!
Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor. You are not alone. You do not have to make decisions all on your own. Not only is Christ with us and in us and sustaining us, He guides us. Through His Word we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices we have to make on a daily basis. Although the Bible doesn’t have specific instructions on what you should eat for lunch, God has given us guidelines and commands to live by. Rejoice!
Jesus is Victorious. Without Christ, we are sinners living in darkness condemned to eternal death. But Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, died to take our punishment, raised from the dead, and is sitting at the right hand of God the Father. He has conquered sin and death and will one day return as rightful King of the world. We have complete assurance through Scripture that God has won, is winning, and wins in the end (1 Cor. 15:50-57). And because of Jesus, we are victorious as well. Rejoice!
Rightfully so, does the old Christmas carol describe the weary world rejoicing and being thrilled at the hope we have in Christ! Whatever trials come your way this Christmas season, remember the joy we have in Christ. Jesus is enough to satisfy our souls if we let Him. Rejoice!
RESOURCE: “Born Is the King” by Hillsong
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6AvDuSNr6ox6RcQ5YWHtJv?si=R3YYvN5SR4uMSINt2ao87g&utm_source=copy-link
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Qf6OoAZbAQg
Count it all joy, my brothers,
when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith
produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect,
that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing.
-James 1:2-4
Perpetual Felicities 