Don’t Wait ‘til Christmas

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2

Grace to you and peace.

We are almost there.  We just have one last dash to get to Christmas Eve.  I use the word “dash” purposely: This coming week might be the busiest of the entire year.  Some folks are finishing up their Christmas shopping; others have yet to begin.  There are goodies to bake and cleaning to be done in preparation for guests.  There is a lot of activity, and a lot of different things demanding our attention.  No wonder everyone’s exhausted by the time Christmas night gets here.

The week before Christmas has always been my favorite week of the year.  It’s the anticipation I love, though when I was younger it was almost painful to wait the last few days.  My math skills got a little sketchy as I tried to make time go faster.  I would say things like “it’s only two days until Christmas if you don’t count today or tomorrow!”

I wish that feeling of excitement and anticipation lasted throughout the year.  Often it doesn’t, though there is no reason that it should not last.

We should wake up excited every day because the angel’s message still rings out across the ages: “Do not be afraid…I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.”  The news is as good today as it was 2,000 years ago.  A child has been born, a Savior who shall set us free.  Has there ever been better news?

The Christmas proclamation should bring us joy as we live out each day.  That doesn’t mean we will be happy each day.  As a friend and I were discussing, there is a difference between joy and happiness.  Happiness is transitory, dependent upon external circumstances.  Joy is something deeper.  It is possible to be joyful and unhappy at the same time.  For example, I am not happy when my back hurts.  However, I am still joyful for all the blessings God has placed in my life, most especially God wanting to have a relationship with me. 

Where does this joy come from?  My friend put it simply: it comes from God.  I cannot manufacture joy on my own.  I can’t even manufacture happiness.  True joy is a gift, a grace, given to us by a loving God.  And it is not just a gift for a few, but is available to “all the people.”  All it takes is a trusting heart open to receiving God’s love.  And what is Christmas if not a sign of God’s great love for us?

Joy is a gift that you don’t have to wait to open.  In fact, the sooner you tear off that wrapping paper and get your hands on it the better.  The really cool thing about joy is that it is contagious, it multiplies as we come into contact with other people.

This Christmas season, allow God to give you the gift of joy and then go and share it with all that you meet.  Masks won’t stop it from spreading.  Social distancing doesn’t work either.  Joy is too powerful to be contained.

May you find the joy God’s love this Christmas that will sustain you throughout the year.

Merry Christmas!