Joy: Advent Week Three That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 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! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 Have you ever watched as an infant lies in its mom or dads arms cooing and talking without a care in the world? Have you ever watched a child with their head in the lap of their grandparent sleep peacefully without so much as a concern? Have you ever watched young love sit on the sofa completely oblivious to anyone else in the room because they were only aware of each other? Have you ever seen the relaxed face of a wife who is holding the hand of her lover even though she is lying in a hospital bed with uncertain outcomes? Have you ever seen a husband who is able to rest his head in the lap of his wife and drift off into sleep even though the wind of difficulty is swirling outside? Have ever seen a couple in their golden years sit on the porch swing holding hands even though the nights have been incredibly long and the days have been dramatically short? What is the common thread? Contentment December twenty fourth is a day that seems to last more than a decade for the little ones of every family. All the hype and all the decorations and all the candy canes have told them in no uncertain terms that Christmas is coming. The visit to see Santa, the movies about Rudolph, the tree being decorated, the smell of cookies wafting from the kitchen has turned an ordinary time of year into a time of excitement and anticipation. The wrapped presents under the tree early offer too much temptation, so when no one is looking there is a shake, there is a squeeze, there is an examination of size and shape. And then its Christmas Eve. If your family opens gifts Christmas morning, sleep is a forgotten commodity. When the time comes and everyone is gathered around the tree, the volcano of emotions begin to erupt. Shouts of happiness and squeals of glee create a melody that Mozart couldnt compose. What is the emotion? Happiness What is the difference between happiness and joy? Happiness often needs the good soil of great circumstances for it to survive. Remember the squeals of delight that accompanied the sound of tearing paper? How long did the happiness last? Until the circumstances changed and the new became old. Joy has nothing to do with circumstances. Joy is complete contentment that gives us the ability to dance in the rain, run against the wind, and smile through the pain. The Angels told the shepherds joy had come and they would find it in a place they were most comfortable and that place was at the side of a manger that held the one who would give them and give us now, incredible joy, and his name is JESUS. In his presence, not in our presents, real, consistent, and unshakeable contentment is found.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 13:51:39 +0000
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