Christmas is a time of great joy. All this weekend, our church choir sang of the joy that has come to the world because the Lord has come. Joy is evident in so many of the songs we sing at Christmas. It’s also evident in the birth narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Before Jesus was even born, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with her own son. When Mary arrived at the home of her cousin and called out her greeting, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb, who of course was John the Baptist, leaped for joy. He knew that the Lord was there in Mary’s womb (Luke 1:44). He had come!
After Jesus was born, an angel appeared to a group of shepherds tending their flocks. He was there to deliver to them good news that would bring great joy–the Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:10-11). He had come!
Some time after that, wise men from the East came to Judea in search of the King whose coming had been foretold. They had followed a star which had led them to this land so far from their own. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they inquired about this newborn King. They were sent to Bethlehem to find Him. When they started on their way, the star appeared once again and they were filled with great joy (Matthew 2:10). He had come!
As we remember the birth of our Lord and Savior on this day (and every day!), may we be filled with great joy. He has come!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Merry Christmas!
A Worshiper's Journal 