It’s Christmas time
and our houses or streets are seen decorated with stars, Christmas trees, new
dresses, visit of relatives etc. While celebrating this Christmas season it is also
important to know and remember what Bible says about Christmas. The Holy Bible
announces Christmas in Luke: 2:10 like this “But the angel said to them, “Do
not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great Joy for all the People””. Yes, Christmas
brings great Joy for all the people in earth, it’s not just for Christians or
for Jews; but it’s a Joy for the entire humanity.
What Joy is Bible
describing about? How can the entire world rejoice in the message of Christmas?
Most of us visualize Joy or happiness to be in a limited sphere. For many
people Joy is all about spending time with friends, going for a party, going
for a family trip etc. These all gives happiness but they are highly momentary;
as soon as a trip ends or a party gets over the Joy or happiness comes to an end;
maybe it extends for another 2 to 3 days more. But Bible talks about a Joy
which is everlasting and eternal.
The Gift of God
It’s the birth of
Jesus that brings Joy to the world. For a long time, prophets had announced to
the world about the coming of Messiah to die for humanity and arise again on
the 3rd day to deliver them from bondage of sin. Bible says in Luke:
2:21 that the name Jesus means “…He will save his people from their sins”. When
a person is under a sinful life there is always a feeling of guilt, a feeling
of fear, a situation of not being confident and sometimes feeling so void. In
such situations, some try to search for many alternate means which can give
them a temporary satisfaction.
God out of the love
for humanity whom he created in his own image wanted to save them and restore
them with everlasting joy. Hence God gave his only begotten Son Jesus Christ as
a Gift to humanity (John: 3:16). Bible Says we were purchased from bondage of
sin with a very costly price, which is the blood of Jesus (I Corinthians: 7:23).
Romans: 5:7,8 says “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though
for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his
own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.
Receiving the Joy
Now that this
happiness and Joy is available for the entire humanity, it is up to us to
receive it. When we confess our sins, ask for forgiveness and believe in Jesus
we are cleansed and filled with Joy. I John: 1:9 says “If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness.” Jesus said in John: 14: 23 “Anyone who loves me will obey my
teaching. My father will love them and we will come to them and make our home
with them”.
When Jesus came into
the house of Zacchaeus a tax collector there was such a great Joy and Jesus
said “today salvation has come to this house” and Zacchaeus was overjoyed with
the change. Yes, Salvation brings such great Joy which cannot be expressed by
words. Think of a life with Jesus in your hearts, in your family and in your
life. You will be the happiest person by receiving this gift of God. So, if you
have not yet received this Joy, today is the time to accept Christ in your
lives.
Continuing in the Joy
Just like receiving the Joy it is also important for us to continue living in the Joy that is gifted to us. We have to lead a holy life and not fall back to our old sins. When we backslide we end up in our old situation of fear and disappointment of our souls. That's why we read in Bible where King David prays to God after committing a Sin; in Psalm 51:12 " Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." God want us to be always filled with this Joy of Salvation that he has given us. Hence God calls his people in Jeremiah 3: 22 to return from backsliding which reads as " Return you backsliding children and I will heal your backsliding s." Its a call to us this Christmas to return back from our backsliding and continue in the Joy of Salvation.
God also want his people to grow in holiness every day. Bible Says in Revelation 22:11 "He who is Holy let him be holy Still" Lets take each day in our life a step towards Holiness. There will be lot of areas which God is pointing to us today; may be that sudden anger or may be to develop a nature of helping the poor, it can be many like this. Let us take decision to meditate the Holy Bible daily and walk according to it so that we become more Holy each and every day. For Bible says in James 1:23,24 "For if anyone is a hearer of the word of God and not a doer he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like". So lets be doers of the Word and continue to walk every day with Joy of Salvation. Let this Christmas be a true Joyful and blessed one to you and every member in your family.
God also want his people to grow in holiness every day. Bible Says in Revelation 22:11 "He who is Holy let him be holy Still" Lets take each day in our life a step towards Holiness. There will be lot of areas which God is pointing to us today; may be that sudden anger or may be to develop a nature of helping the poor, it can be many like this. Let us take decision to meditate the Holy Bible daily and walk according to it so that we become more Holy each and every day. For Bible says in James 1:23,24 "For if anyone is a hearer of the word of God and not a doer he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like". So lets be doers of the Word and continue to walk every day with Joy of Salvation. Let this Christmas be a true Joyful and blessed one to you and every member in your family.