When our hearts are sick because of past hurts that have left us bitter, hopeless and frustrated, we need to stop and take our medicine. The joy that Jesus gives springs from something far deeper than even our deepest sorrows and leaves us with a joyful heart. Today’s video left me with a smile in my heart. I pray it does the same for you. Have you taken your heart medication today?
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10 KJV
Have you ever gotten into such an argument with someone you loved that they gave you the silent treatment? (You don’t have to answer!) The worst thing for most of us is not punishment, rudeness or anger, it is the complete cutting off of communication. That is how the people of Israel felt, because, although they were God’s chosen people, they had not heard from God for generations. Try to imagine for a moment the feeling of those shepherds, when angels appeared to them bringing God’s first message in four hundred years. “Joy to the World” is one of the happiest of the Christmas carols, because it tells us both by its words and upbeat melody, that Christmas is a time to celebrate.
With the craziness of the events happening around the world it is easy to focus more on things that we are afraid of, than the hope we have in Christ. That is why God wants to speak to our hearts, the same message He sent for the shepherds. “Don’t be afraid!” Though it often feels as if Jesus is a million miles away from our situation, the truth is that He is close by and that He has come for you. Don’t be afraid because the message of the coming of Jesus is “Good tiding of great joy!” What we need to do as the carol tells us is to “Receive our king!” He has come, and our job is to follow the shepherds who ran to see Him. He has come with a message of joy, not just for Israel, but for all people everywhere. “Let Heaven and nature sing!” Joy to the World by Isaac Watts 1719
Caligiuri, Peter. A Christmas Treasury: Large Print Edition (pp. 3-4). Kindle Edition.
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39 NKJV
With all the catastrophic sad events happening around the world, it is too easy to forget that all the promises of God are true and that in Christ we have a wonderful hope to pass on to our children. The mockingbird still sings in our tree in our backyard no matter the weather. I have never gone out into the sunroom with my coffee to find him biting his fingernails or weeping. I have found in my own times of deepest grief and difficulties that when there are no more words to say, He still helps me to sing. I pray that God will help you find His song in your hearts this week, no matter what you are facing.
I love the lyrics from the hymn “Redeemed” that say, “I sing for I cannot be silent. His love is the theme of my song!” When the love of Jesus is moving in our hearts, a song can never be far away. I came across this video from my internet friends The Mullett Family. The sweet simple voices of their youngest daughters, stir a joy in my heart each time I listen as they remind us that we should be passing on the promise of Jesus Christ to our family, our neighbors and friends. God bless you all and may you have a time to rest in the presence of the Lord and be refreshed in your spirits this weekend.
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