Daily devotion – The joy of Christ at Christmas.
Joy Comes With Christ
It has been such a blessing to witness the many babies born to families here at Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour. Each child is a creation of Almighty God—each one a miracle!
In Luke’s account of the Christmas story, we read of pregnant Mary visiting Zacharias and pregnant Elizabeth in the hill country of Judah. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her unborn baby, John the Baptist, leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Under the Spirit’s guidance, Elizabeth declared:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
John would be born to prepare the way for Christ, to herald the coming Messiah—and even before his birth, he leapt for joy at the presence of Jesus.
This Christmas, may we be reminded of the joy that the message of Christ’s birth should bring to us every single day. Jesus came to bring joy to a lost and hopeless world.
But perhaps joy is not what you feel right now. Maybe things are not going well.
We must constantly remember that our salvation—our forgiveness, received by God’s grace—is to be a wellspring of joy to us daily, regardless of our circumstances.
Paul found joy in those who received Christ through his ministry:
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” — 1 Thessalonians 2:19
James reminds us that joy is possible even in trials:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” — James 1:2
And the psalmist assures us that seasons of sorrow will not last forever:
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” — Psalm 30:5
I pray that as we approach Christmas, your heart and home will be overshadowed by the wondrous joy of the Lord.
Announcements
Wednesday evening, 7:00pm (before prayer): The Significance of the Virgin Birth
This Saturday: Calvary Young Adults are meeting at Hendrik and Katie’s.