Christmas Greeting Card Sermon Iv: Joy! Series

CHRISTMAS GREETING CARD SERMON IV: JOY

For some folks, Christmas is the happiest time of the year; for others, Christmas is the saddest time of the year. It all depends on how you feel about your circumstances in life.

An editorial page headline recently read, “The sad results of too much happiness” – the article having to do with the misfortunes of those who had won big over the years by playing the lottery.

The popularity of game shows on which contestants jump for “joy” when they win any amount of money or any number of prizes suggests to me that people get a thrill out of winning.

Do you suppose that all too often we tend to associate happiness and joy with money and material possessions as opposed to what it is that really constitutes true happiness and genuine joy?

Most folks look forward to Christmas; some look forward to the day after Christmas. It all depends on how commercialized we as individuals want to make it.

Sure, the commercial aspect of Christmas generates the excitement of anticipation, especially in children; yet there are children who would not experience this excitement were it not for good-hearted folks who contribute in some small way to help every child have a merry Christmas.

As we participate in the traditions of the Christmas Season – decorated trees, bright lights, parties, family get-togethers, gift giving and receiving, Christmas plays, worship services, concerts, caroling and all the rest – there is one word in the English language that, to me, describes what I wish for everyone to experience as a result of all that we see and hear and do during the Christmas Season. That word is JOY.

You may feel happy . . . You may feel sad . . . You may look forward to Christmas Day . . . You may look forward to the day after . . . How you feel about it really has nothing to do with whether or not you experience the JOY of Christmas – for, you see, JOY as expressed in the Bible was not meant to be a feeling. JOY was meant to be a gift of love.

Some folks equate joy with happiness; but, you know, you can feel unhappy, due to your circumstances, and still experience the gift of JOY. You may or may not get caught up in the commercialization of Christmas and still experience the gift of JOY. You may or may not get involved in the traditions of Christmas and still experience the gift of JOY.

How can I possibly conclude that neither family circumstances, nor shopping sprees or the observance of holiday traditions have no effect on whether or not I will or will not experience the JOY of Christmas?

I can say it only because I have learned both from experience and extensive Bible study that all the traditional activities we tend to associate with the Christmas Holidays have to do with our feelings.

Yes, I wish you a “Merry” Christmas because I hope you feel merry rather than teary. I wish you a “Happy” New Year because I want for each and every one of you the happiness of not having to worry about anything.

From now until next Christmas I want you to feel glad, not sad; but we are talking about feelings – and feelings change as circumstances change.

When the Bible speaks of JOY, the use of that word is the best our English language can do to describe that which is humanly unspeakable – God’s GIFT of love to the world! Luke 2:8-11 . . .

The JOY spoken of here is a divine blessing – not a human feeling!

Luke is telling us that the promise made to Abraham - that through his seed all the world would be blessed - has been fulfilled.

Luke is telling us that God’s eternal love has been revealed in human history – in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s Son and our Savior.

The angel said to the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” The angel might just as well have said, “I bring you good news of a great gift of love that will be for all people.”

God’s gift to the world is God’s JOY to the world. “For unto you has been born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”

Where were they to find Him? In a cow stall – in a feeding trough! Among whom were they to find Him? Among ordinary folks!

For us ordinary folks, happiness is having everything go right . . . a sense of contentment . . . feeling good about our circumstances – perhaps with a few laughs thrown in for good measure. But JOY – real JOY – wonderful JOY is not dependent upon circumstance or commercialization.