CELEBRATING ADVENT: Joy

REALIZATION

Was it in the moment when Mary first heard the news?

Or when angels announced the birth of the long-awaited King of the Jews?

Imagine their exceeding great joy when they saw at last

The fulfillment of prophecy from long ages past.

And our hearts can all be filled with joy, still today,

In realizing God's greatest gift of salvation and grace.

~ Darlene Koop, Dec. 31-2012 ~

...and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. ~ Matthew 2:9b-11a ~

And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant...For He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation." ~ Luke 1:46-48a, 49-50 ~

I am happy and I have joy in my heart.
For some people, those two words -- happiness and joy -- are synonymous, but there is a difference between them. And many people say that they want to be happy, when the real and deepest desire of their hearts is to find a true joy that lasts.

Friends, the message of the Christmas season brings us that joy that our world is searching for -- but it is not always realized or recognized because of the way in which God revealed it.

People look for happiness and joy in things they can see and touch, but those things will always disappoint. Happiness can be found in circumstances, but is usually temporary -- joy comes from knowing a truth that will not change, no matter what happens in our lives or the world around us.

So what is the joy that we celebrate at Christmas? Certainly, the birth of Jesus Christ. But if we stop there, we miss what Christmas is really all about.

The miraculous thing about true joy is that it continually increases and satisfies our hearts in a way nothing else can. The exceeding great joy that the wise men felt as they saw and worshiped the King of Kings that first Christmas was because they realized WHO HE WAS and WHY HE HAD COME.

And we, too, can experience that joy in ever-increasing measure, because of what happened after that wonderful, holy night just over 2000 years ago. I don't know if the people who were living on the earth at that time fully comprehended the reason for Christ's birth...that may be what Jesus meant when He said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).

This world is not all there is -- and though this is where life begins, it does not end here. Jesus Christ is coming again, and for we who have believed although we have never seen Him, there are no words to describe the joy that we will know on that day.

The Savior of the world came - into the dark, smelly shadows of a stable on a night that was perhaps cold and dreary - and His first advent brought a joy and hope that people had never known. But the plan was not complete with His birth, or even His death and resurrection...for behold, He is coming again!! And His second advent will be even greater than the first -- for "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11).

Then will we realize in fullness who He really is...and so until that day, let us continually find our joy in the only One who can satisfy our hearts -- Jesus Christ, our Savior, Lord, and King!

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith...may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and glory, receiving the end of your faith  - the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7a, 8-9 ~

A HAPPY HEART

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy way to start!
For a God that really cares.

'Cause He listens to my prayers, that's why I say thanks every day!(VeggieTales, The Thankfulness Song)

This song reminds me of just how blessed I am and how much I have to be thankful for. So I've decided to share with you just a few of the blessings for which I am thankful...

My mom and dad



Sunrises and sunsets



Flowers



The gift of music



The cross

Children



Creativity



Little creatures

 

Yummy food



Friends and laughter

The list could go on...and on...and on....THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR BLESSINGS ON ME!
I hope that this little post has caused a seed of thankfulness and happiness to grow in your heart as well.

SWEET HAPPINESS

I believe that true happiness only comes from giving freely of ourselves to others in love. I think this is partly what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote in Philippians 2:

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.

Jesus Himself also said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

Over the last few days, I have had the opportunity to give of my time, my energies and myself to others, and I have discovered that it has made me so happy to give just because I want them to know they are loved and cared for. I have been happier doing things for others than just pleasing myself, and so what began as a desire to bless someone else also became a blessing to me.

This reminds me of a passage from Hannah Hurnard's book 'Hinds' Feet on High Places:'

The Water Song

Come, oh come! Let us away –

Lower and lower every day.

From the heights we leap and flow

To the valleys down below.

Always answering to the call,

To the lowest place of all.

“I don’t understand,” said Much-Afraid after she had listened for awhile. “The water seems to be singing so gladly because it is hurrying to go down into the Valley, and yet You are calling me to the High Places. What does it mean?”

“The High Places,” answered the Shepherd, “are the starting place. It is only up on the High Places of Love that anyone can receive the power to pour himself out and give to others.”

Much-Afraid still didn’t really understand, but now as she listened she heard the wild flowers singing the same sort of song.

This is the law by which we live –

It is so sweet to give and give.

After that it seemed to Much-Afraid that all the little birds were singing the same kind of song.

This is the joy of all winged life above –

Happy it is to be able to love.

I also believe that it is because I have tasted the goodness of the Lord and been with Him that I have been enabled to give and give joyfully and happily, and I pray that this desire and passion continues to grow. How much our world would be transformed if the family of God lived this out day by day!