God desires to give us great joy. When Paul talks about the fruits of the Spirit, joy is listed second only to love (Gal. 5:22).
God’s idea of joy was to provide a way to restore the broken fellowship between Him and us. He desires to forgive us of sin but because of His holy nature cannot just overlook it.
So He designed a plan before the foundation of the world to give us a Savior, His own Son, His greatest gift.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10, 11
The angel has revealed several truths to us.
Jesus being born as a man is good tidings of great joy.
But we have turned this joy of God’s into our joy, which does not include God. At a time in which we should celebrate the birth of the Savior, we intermix it with a plump man in a red suit, riding around the earth in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer and delivering toys via a chimney. The idea of Santa coming gives children more joy than the idea that Jesus has already come.
This good tidings of great joy is for all people but many others have chose to ignore or change it.
The Muslims would rather follow someone else, as do the Buddhists, Taoists, cults, Satanists, agnostics, and atheists.
This great joy has come not in the form of great wealth and riches, not in the form of promised health and happiness, not in the form of job security, but in the form of a baby.
This Baby was helpless and needing the same nurturing, love, and care that each of us have needed.
This Baby did not come in power to rule but in humility to serve.
This Baby did not offer high position and honor but salvation through Him.
This Baby will never return as a baby but shall return in glory, honor, and the power to rule with a rod of iron.
When He returns He will judge the world in righteousness and truth.
Perhaps this is the reason so many would rather talk about a jolly old elf that brings happiness and joy once a year and then we can forget about him.
The idea of Jesus returning doesn’t bring joy to many that fear that return. It is not scheduled to come at a time we can mark on the calendar and so many are unprepared.
If you want to give great joy to your family this year, forget Santa and remember Jesus.
He is the reason for the season.