The Gift to Celebrate

By Jimmy Long
Bible Book: Luke  2 : 10
Subject: Christmas; Joy; Stress; Gift of God
Introduction

Let me share with you an excerpt from the Medical News Today website:

  • (The Christmas Holiday) is a period of frenetic activity, a time when people are trying to juggle work, an increase in social obligations, shopping, decorating, wrapping, entertaining and staying on budget. All this leads to a rise in both physical and emotional stress.

This is also a time of reflection, as the year nears its end. A time when others look back and see the losses they incurred? Loss of a love one through death, divorce or separation, loss of a job, or even loss of familiar social environment (as in having moved away from home).

“The holidays also bring about unrealistic conceptualizations of the ideal family, evoking feelings that many heighten the tension or conflicts between family members” explains MUHC psychologist, Dr. Michael Spevack. “Over eating and over drinking combined with a decreased amount of sleep is also a formula for extreme swings – feelings of elation followed twelve hours later by a transient drop in mood,” explains Spevak.

Perhaps Elvis hit a nerve with a lot of people as he sang, “I’ll have a blue Christmas…”

Is this what a Christmas should be? I don’t think so. Let me call your attention to a passage that we looked at earlier. It is the announcement of the angels to the shepherds about the birth of Jesus.

“The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

Where is the joy of Christmas? Obviously, it cannot be found in the lights and decorations, the gifts or the parties; if so, there would be little depression or melancholy during the season. We’d all be overflowing with happiness like the Who’s down in Whoville.

Without raising your hands, let me ask you a few simple questions:

  • Are you stressed out over Christmas?
  • Are you weary?
  • Will you be glad when it’s all over and done with?
  • Have you spent way more than you planned to?
  • Are you anxious about an upcoming family gathering?
  • Does the season just make you sad?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, I would like to suggest to you this morning that there is a lasting joy to be found in Christmas. That is, if we are looking in the right place; the place where the shepherds looked.

The angels brought the message of great joy, but they didn’t point the shepherds to  Best Buy or Toys R Us. The angel sent them to a manger, to a newborn babe, a bundle of joy; to Jesus. And when they saw Him, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:20)  It is in Jesus that we find true, lasting joy, not just in Christmas, but throughout the year.

It is why Paul could challenge us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Joy is available for us. It is not that elusive thing that is just beyond our grasp.  Joy is found in our relationship with Jesus; our receiving Him as our Savior and walking with Him daily. It is found in our abiding in His eternal presence.

The shepherds saw God’s Word fulfilled in the baby King and were filled with joy. You and I will never have that blessing, but Peter reminds us, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even thought you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…”. (I Peter 1:8)

The joy that we find in our relationship with God through His son Jesus is much deeper and purer than the joys this world has to offer. So what kind of joy do we have?

I. The Joy of Forgiveness

Psalm 32:1 says, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” There is no substitute for knowing you are forgiven and none of your sins will be held against you. There is joy in forgiveness.

II. The Joy of His Presence

As Jesus prepared to leave the earth and ascend to His Father, He said to His followers, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) There is joy in knowing that Jesus is always there.

III. The Joy of Life Having Meaning and Purpose

God has called you to be:

  • His child (1 John 3:1)
  • His ambassador here on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20)
  • His light (Matthew 5:14)
  • His messenger (Acts 1:8)
  • His voice (1 Peter 4:11)

You are not a meaningless speck in the universe or a part of some cosmic game of chance. You are a unique creation of God, called to be His child here on this earth and forever in heaven.

IV. The Joy of Perspective

Matthew 16:26 says, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange of his soul?” When we look around and see the wicked prosper and the righteous hurting, we can rejoice knowing that what God has in store for us in far greater than any joy this world offers.

V. The Joy of Hope

Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” The very same God who promised to send a Savior, and who was faithful to send His son Jesus to be born, die on the cross and rise again on the third day, is the very same God who will be faithful to be with me through each day of this life. He is the same God who will   take me to be with Him when this life it through. My salvation does not depend upon my own effort and goodness, but upon the completed work of the perfect Son of God.

Conclusion

Do you know this joy? God gave us the greatest gift, His son; a gift we could, and should, celebrate. If you are a child of God, don’t get distracted by the trappings of the season.

Rejoice!

Celebrate!

If you have not given your heart and life to Jesus, why not do it today?  Is there any better day?  God’s gift is for you!

Receive it!

Embrace it!

Celebrate it!

And share it!