Church of the Nazarene – East Rock
The Christmas Gifts JOY
Christmas Gifts Part 3 “Joy”
As we enter the Advent season for 2022, we will seek to grow deeper in our understanding of the free gifts available to us through Christ and his coming. Gifts we cannot earn and do not deserve.
Today we will unwrap the Christmas Gift of Joy.
Joy to the World then isn’t about Christmas Presents, it’s not just a nice song, it’s more. It’s a statement of fact for those who believe and receive the gift the father gave at Christmas.
Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
For all the challenges, all the things that didn’t go as well as Mary would have liked; the travel, the tax audit, the smell of animal manure- the gift of Joy is still present at his arrival.
Joy has come! Not because of their circumstances, but because of His presence.
And the same is true for you today.
Luke 2:8-12
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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
From Abraham, Moses, through King David the promise of Messiah had been anticipated. All the offerings, all the sacrificed lambs pointed to this moment, to this babe in a manger.
That’s the gift of Christmas- good news that will cause great joy for all people.
The Christmas story, the story of Jesus, is our story. We are invited to take the journey with the shepherds to worship him, to know him as our Lord and savior. To receive Jesus and experience JOY like never before.
True Joy is a gift, a gift of the Holy Spirit and his presence within us. Joy is not something you invent, or work up. It’s not an emotion, swaying in the wind of your circumstances.
Joy comes from knowing that despite the challenges of our world, the heartbreak, the pain we experience, despite all those things, that we are in Christ- part of his eternal life plan. It’s present when we can see God working, and when we can’t.
The Christmas gift of Joy is yours in Christ, at Christmas, and beyond.
Joy is one of the great gifts of Christmas.
The Joy of the Lord is the overcomer of your circumstances.
The Joy of the Lord cannot be dimmed by your imperfections.
The Joy of the Lord meets you on your knees
The Joy of the Lord is your strength
Come let us worship Christ the Newborn King!