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Prayer Blog

December 14 2021 Prayer Blog

Posted by Carol Gilbert on

The Joy of Christmas

Biblical joy comes from Jesus – all the time, not just at Christmas when we rehearse the story of his birth. When we think of Jesus as portrayed in the gospels, we might describe him as compassionate, wise, sometimes filled with righteous anger, but would we describe him as joyful? He was a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3) and someone who wept at a friend’s tomb (John 11:35) and over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), but he must also have embodied joy. Pastor Dave quoted these words Jesus spoke to his closest disciples the night before he was crucified: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11) Talk to Jesus today and tell him you want his joy in you, a joy that is full – complete, overflowing, eternal.

Dave also observed that biblical joy is supernatural, quoting Acts 13:52. In the midst of persecution, “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Joy is dependent on faith in Jesus, not on circumstances. When we are experiencing tough times, we frequently cry out to God, asking Him to change our circumstances; then, we think, we’ll have joy again. But the example of Christians, from the earliest days of the church down through the ages, show us that joy during trials is possible. If you are in the midst of a trial right now – or the next time you are – pray for joy through the Holy Spirit because of your faith in Jesus.

Biblical joy is often based on firm faith in what is to come. Dave went through what we think of as a Christmas carol, “Joy to the World,” arguing that hymnwriter Isaac Watts was really talking about joy surrounding Jesus’ second coming. Satan, not Jesus, is currently reigning as the ruler of the earth; sins and sorrows still grow like thorns; the nations are not yet proving the glories of Jesus’ righteousness. Lord, I focus too much on now. Fix my eyes on what is yet to come – Jesus’ triumphant second coming. Strengthen my confidence in what the Bible says is as sure as accomplished fact. Whether I live to see that day or not, may it be so real to me that I can rejoice in it.

Calvary Family

Calvary’s children will be singing in both services next Sunday. Pray that, as young as they are, they will understand that singing is about praising God and pointing people to Jesus, not performing for applause and approval.

Pray for parents as they teach their children about Christmas. Parents of young children have the task of correcting confusion about baby Jesus in the manger and Santa in his sleigh. Parents of teenagers face a different challenge: teaching children for whom Christmas is “old hat.” They know the story, the relevant Scriptures, the songs, all the traditions. May the Holy Spirit help parents give their teens fresh food for thought concerning the Word made flesh.

I recently read that Christmas has become a popular commercial festival in China. The blogger noted that “people don’t seem to have a clue what they’re celebrating or why.” She continued, “A few years back I was doing some last-minute shopping in a Beijing department store on Christmas Eve. Standing next to me at a counter were two young men, also making some purchases. ‘Joy to the World’ was playing in the background as I overheard one man say to the other, ‘I don’t even know what Christmas is. All I know is that if I don’t buy my wife a present, she’ll be angry with me.’” Sadly, this scenario plays out across America too. Ask the Lord to give you the privilege of explaining Christmas to a clueless person in your world. Ask Him to open the door for a conversation or point you to someone you can invite to church on Christmas Eve.

 In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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