Embracing Eternal Joy: Faith and the Christmas Story

The third week of Advent brings the focus on joy. The pink candle represents joy the shepherds experienced when angels announced our Saviors birth.

But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2:10-11

I have always loved this passage. When I was a child, we would sit in front of my grandparents’ fireplace on Christmas Eve. Grandpa would read the story of Christ’s birth. The story wove its way around my heart and embedded the seed of joy in the deepest place within me. 

Oh, I waited with little girl anticipation of the presents for sure. I still do. I love all the Christmas cinnamon rolls, stockings hung by the fire with care, time with family. I love it all… well most of it anyway. It brings me so much joy, um… happiness. 

On that night so long ago, Jesus did not enter this earth to bring us temporary happiness as a Christmas present might. He came to give us eternal joy. That joy comes from accepting Him as Savior and recognizing Him as our sovereign Lord.

That seed of joy, planted in my heart so long ago, is still there. I knew from a very young age that my heart belonged to our Savior, Jesus. Along the way, though, circumstances threaten to still the joy. 

Along about fifth grade, the enemy used a series of tragic events to instill fear where joy once lived. For nights I cried myself to sleep. When sleep finally came, it was filled with bad dreams. I was living in fear of eternity and in fear of the day to day. 

Finally, one night I called my dad into my room and told him what was going on in my little brain, and more importantly my fragile heart. We prayed. I don’t remember what we prayed, but the peace of God once again began to rule my heart. The thoughts that attempted to steal my joy were taken captive and locked away. 

So often, we base our joy on outward circumstances or maybe even inward turmoil. That is what the enemy wants us to do, especially this time of year. He wants us to focus our hearts and minds on the temporal. This is a sure way to veil the joy that is eternal. 

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, 

consider it an opportunity for great joy. 

For you know that when your faith is tested, 

your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3

The troubling circumstances we face, tragedies, bad drivers on the road, no chocolate chips at Costco, all the stumbling blocks in life can be steppingstones on the path to growing our faith and our joy. 

I still get that warm fuzzy feeling deep in my soul when I hear the Christmas story, because it is not just a story. It is the very foundation of my life. It is a reminder that I am a child of the Most High. 

So, as I go about preparing my home for Christmas, I am also preparing my heart to be a fertile ground for the seed of joy planted to continue its growth in me. I pray the joy grows like the morning glory vine in my yard; the shoots of new growth wind their way around all those who are near.

As I hang teddy bears on my Christmas tree to make my precious one-year-old granddaughter dance with unbridled exuberance, I pray that the seed of joy will be planted in her. As I set up the Nativities, I worship not the porcelain figurines, but the One they represent, the One who came to earth to give me joy. And I pray that my home can be a sanctuary for those who enter. 

Before I enter a crazy store with too many people and not enough of the items I am there to purchase, I whisper a prayer. Give me grace. Let Your joy overflow like the river of life. Let me be a light set on a hill, not an angry shopper battling in the valley of despair. 

When the enemy has worked overtime to steal my joy, the prayer from Psalm 51 that often comes to mind is this: 

“Restore unto me the JOY of thy salvation and renew a right spirit in me. Amen”

And He does. But the restoration does not come from focusing on my circumstances. It comes from focusing on the One who is greater, the One who loved me enough to come to earth, be born in a stable, die for my sins, and live again.

The joy rooted in the depths of my heart should be the motivation for everything I do all year long, but especially during the time we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Worshiping as I drive, decorate, shop, cook, sing, and write should be how I observe this amazing advent. 

Do you desire to have abiding joy in your life? 

I encourage you to ask the One who can instill that in your heart.

What are the layers of “stuff” hiding the joy planted in you?

I encourage you to name them and surrender them to the One who can reveal the joy He wants you to have.

Is loneliness this season threatening to steal your joy?

I encourage you to reach out and be the friend that someone needs you to be today. 

Is the noise of this world overshadowing the joy you should be experiencing?

I encourage you to turn down the volume on the chaos and listen to the words of Christmas music that speaks the truth.

Have you forgotten why we celebrate this season?

I encourage you to read Isaiah 7 and 9 and Luke 2.

Remember, God is the author of joy. He created laughter. He gave us a desire to experience everything that is beautiful; lights, trees, God honoring music. He wants His joy to fill us and overflow into the lives of everyone around us. 

My prayer for you today is this:

“I pray that God, the source of hope, 

will fill you completely with joy and peace 

because you trust in him. 

Then you will overflow with confident hope 

through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Here is a beautiful song to help instill joy in your heart. Sounding Joy – Ellie Holcomb

Merry Christmas!