The following post is shared by Deborah Perkins, Assembly Band Movement Coordinator.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10, 11).
It was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6-7 that a Saviour would be born. The Shepherds were the first to hear the birth announcement. The angel appeared to them, bringing “good tidings of great joy.” He brought good news: the Saviour of the world had been born. Salvation had come to all mankind. These glad tidings also brought great joy!
What is joy? Adam Clarke describes it as “the exultation that arises from a sense of God’s mercy communicated to the soul in pardon of its iniquities, and the prospect of that eternal glory of which it has the forestate in the pardon of sin.”
Praise God for His redemptive plan of salvation for all the world! “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).
Christ tells us in John 15:9-12 about His joy. “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
We are to love him with all our heart, soul, and mind. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are to keep his commandments and abide in his love. To abide is to dwell, to be in his presence, allowing His word to fill our minds, direct our wills, and transform our affection.
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence isfulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalms 16:11).
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing!
I pray this Christmas and the upcoming New Year that you are experiencing the true joy of the season.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:10). “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
