Joy of CHRISTMAS: Here, there, everywhere!
Martha Olawale
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11
I woke up this morning and could see the snow covering my neighbors’ roofs as I looked out the window. It’s beautiful, and, most pleasantly, it reminds me that Christmas is just a few days away.
I grew up in a different part of the world where snow was not a thing. However, my heart was not a stranger to the warmth I felt as I looked out my window. It’s Christmas, and it does that to people, young or old. Regardless of how you celebrate it, whether you understand what it’s all about, or do not. Christmas, no matter where you are in the world, has a way of stirring a river of joy within you because it was promised—the joy of Christmas.
The feeling of joy I feel is so familiar that I knew it wasn’t about the white blanket of snow or the twinkling of the lights I could see lining the trees; it’s Christmas—the beauty, hope, and glory of Christ’s birth.
My first lingering memory of Christmas is of me, decades ago, sitting around a burning fire with my siblings, singing “We three kings,” in my Mum’s village. The situation surrounding that season was sad; we were away from Lagos to be closer to Mum’s family, because she had been sick, but that did not drown out the joy of Christmas.
Since then, I’ve bid farewell to two of my brothers and lost the mother who introduced me to what it means to walk with God, but the joy of Christmas remains. Through the messes, losses, joy, friends gained and lost, Christmas is eternal in my soul. It’s more than a season; it’s about the King of glory, who in His infinite mercies left majesty to walk among us, heal us, feed us, teach us, and intimately died a gruesome death to restore us to our Father.
I don’t know who you are, where you are, or how you celebrate this season. If you don’t know Jesus, you are missing out on the only source of joy that is unspeakable, unimaginable, unfathomable, and full of glory.
The joy of Christmas was promised to us by the Father in Luke 2 (JOY TO THE WORLD!) So, go all out to celebrate; enjoy the lights, tall, rich trees with the best ornaments. Give the best gifts and receive them. Feast and celebrate!
However, in your celebrations, don’t let the glitz and songs sway your hearts from the fullness of the good news of Christmas. There’s so much more to it than any fuzzy slippers or hot cocoa on a snowy day can give. Jesus is the good news, and to miss out on Him is to miss out on joy unspeakable and full of glory. He is the essence and core of every good and perfect gift and the best choice for you beyond the season. He is Wonder above all the wonders of the galaxies.
Isaiah 6:9 says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
