Is the name Isaac Watts familiar to you? Even if you don't know the name, I can almost guarantee that you've sung some of the songs he wrote. In fact he composed one of our most popular Christmas carols: "Joy to the World."
You're probably already singing the song in your head, so you know that according to the song, the reason the world can have joy is because The Lord is come. It's not because, "Santa Claus has come," or "the time for gifts has come" or even, "the time for family has come." The reason we can experience joy at all is because Jesus has come. And the Bible agrees; let's look at what it says.
What Does the Bible Say
It's not hard to find Scripture referring to the joy surrounding Jesus' birth. In fact, even before He was born, people were rejoicing.
"In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth...and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!... For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.'" (Luke 1:39-40, 41, 44, ESV).
Of course, the most well-known proclamation of joy came in the greatest birth announcement ever. "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11, ESV).
It's always an occasion of joy when a child is born; but Jesus was more than just a baby, He was the Messiah, the promised Savior. Everyone who has realized that fact and put their faith in Him has the joy only Jesus can bring into their life.
My Thoughts
As you read through the Scripture for today, think about the following questions:
Where do people tend to look for joy during the holiday season?
In what ways is Jesus superior to everything else we associate with Christmas?
My Part
Who around you could use a dose of joy this Christmas? Consider what you can do to help them share in the joy of the Savior's birth.
Spend some time with your family reading the Christmas stories in the Bible and point out descriptions of joy you find there.
What Does God Say?
My Thoughts
My Part
You're probably already singing the song in your head, so you know that according to the song, the reason the world can have joy is because The Lord is come. It's not because, "Santa Claus has come," or "the time for gifts has come" or even, "the time for family has come." The reason we can experience joy at all is because Jesus has come. And the Bible agrees; let's look at what it says.
What Does the Bible Say
It's not hard to find Scripture referring to the joy surrounding Jesus' birth. In fact, even before He was born, people were rejoicing.
"In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth...and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!... For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.'" (Luke 1:39-40, 41, 44, ESV).
Of course, the most well-known proclamation of joy came in the greatest birth announcement ever. "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11, ESV).
It's always an occasion of joy when a child is born; but Jesus was more than just a baby, He was the Messiah, the promised Savior. Everyone who has realized that fact and put their faith in Him has the joy only Jesus can bring into their life.
My Thoughts
As you read through the Scripture for today, think about the following questions:
Where do people tend to look for joy during the holiday season?
In what ways is Jesus superior to everything else we associate with Christmas?
My Part
Who around you could use a dose of joy this Christmas? Consider what you can do to help them share in the joy of the Savior's birth.
Spend some time with your family reading the Christmas stories in the Bible and point out descriptions of joy you find there.
What Does God Say?
My Thoughts
My Part
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