Joy In The Journey - A Christmas Sermon

When they arrived in Bethlehem, they faced yet another trial—there was no room for them in the inn. Imagine the exhaustion, frustration, and confusion they must have felt. And yet, through all of those events, God was at work. What seemed like problems were actually part of a divine design. The Savior of the world was born in a humble manger, surrounded by animals, as part of God’s perfect plan.

Life often feels like a puzzle. We don’t always understand why certain events happen—a sickness, a broken relationship, a separation from loved ones. These pieces may not make sense on their own. But when we step back and look at the big picture, we can trust that God has a purpose for each part of our lives.

My grandson always reminds me when we work on a puzzle, "Look at the box, Papa!" The box shows the big picture, the final design. In the same way, we must look to God, who holds the full picture of our lives. He knows how every piece fits together, even when we don’t.

As Christians, we are also on a journey—a journey toward a final destination. We are pilgrims and sojourners in this world, living a temporary life. Our ultimate destination is eternity, the life after death that God has promised through His Son, Jesus Christ. This destination is what gives us hope, joy, and peace. But what about the journey itself?

The Journey Matters, not just the destination

It's easy to focus so much on the destination that we miss the value of the journey. The truth is, the journey may not always be comfortable or enjoyable. In fact, it may be filled with challenges, discomfort, and trials. Yet, the way we approach our journey is a choice we make.

Let me share a personal story. Every year, my wife and I travel to visit my mother, who is now 95 years old and approaching 96. Seeing her is one of the greatest joys of my life. Though she cannot see or hear well, she always knows who we are, and the time we spend together is precious beyond words.

But getting to her is no easy task. It involves a 22-hour flight, with long stretches of sitting in a cramped airplane seat. There are brief layovers—sometimes in the Middle East or Europe—but most of the journey is exhausting and uncomfortable. At times, I find myself just wanting to get there and be done with the travel. I could easily spend those 22 hours grumbling, complaining, and making myself miserable. Or, I can choose to make the best of the journey—to rest, reflect, and anticipate the joy of being with my mother.

This choice is one we all face. While the destination—eternity with Christ—is exciting and certain, how we approach our journey matters just as much. Will we complain and let the hardships of life steal our peace? Or will we choose to find joy even in the challenges, trusting that God is with us every step of the way?

Making the journey joyful

Yes, it’s a choice that you and I have to make. I used to work for a company with a well-known slogan: "Work hard, have fun, and make history." There was no question about working hard—the company had all the systems, processes, and management structures in place to ensure you gave it your best. But they also emphasized the importance of enjoying life while you worked. How can you enjoy life when you have to work so hard? That’s where perspective comes in. Working hard doesn’t have to make you miserable. It’s all about how you approach it. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, maybe that’s not the place for you. But if you choose to stay, you can work hard and still have fun in what you do. The same principle applies to our spiritual journey.