Joyous Christmas

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. 

Luke 1:46-48

I helped my three-year-old grandson into his car seat.  He insisted on buckling the straps himself.  As I started the car, the radio blasted music proclaiming, “Have a holy jolly Christmas.  It’s the best time of the year!”  Through the rearview mirror I saw Carson’s face light up.  He smiled that giant smile of his, and he sang along with the song at the top of his lungs.  His spirit of pure joy makes it a holly jolly Christmas. 

For those of us who have allowed the world to smother our joy, I pray we foster his joyful spirit and rediscover that joyful spirit for ourselves.  The world has an infinite variety of means to steal joy from us, but we know true joy is available to everyone.    God’s holy word explains joy is a byproduct of the indwelling Holy Spirit:

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.  And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.  Galatians 5:22-25

Mary’s spirit rejoiced.  The angel Gabriel visited Mary and told her that God chose her to be the Messiah’s mother.  He also told her that her aunt, who was too old to bear children, would soon have a miracle baby, John the Baptist, because “nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).  Mary traveled to meet her aunt and when she arrived, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she confirmed what the angel had said.  Mary’s spirit rejoiced.  The Holy Spirit sent her this amazing affirmation, and she rejoiced in His holy presence.

In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul urges his readers to rejoice in the Lord in all circumstances.  Discussing his imprisonment in Rome, Paul rejoices because through his imprisonment God is spreading the gospel throughout the entire imperial guard (see Philippians 1:12-26).  In the next chapter he writes,

But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the service of your faith, I rejoice, and I rejoice together with all of you; in the same way also you should rejoice and rejoice together with me.  Philippians 2:17-18

He begins the third chapter writing,

Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.  Philippians 3:1

And in the fourth and final chapter he writes,

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7

Carson has no idea that God’s holy word urges us to rejoice, but he knows joy.  He exudes joy through his beautiful smile, the way he sings and the happy way he carries himself through the world.  May we each be infected with his spirit of joy.  May our spirit rejoice like Mary’s.  May we rejoice in all circumstances like Paul.  May we know the joy of his holy jolly season today and always.  Amen.