Joy

It’s Christmas time! One of the most joyous times of year… or so we want it to be. Christmas
can be hard; we miss people who are no longer in our lives, we miss how simple things use to
be. And studies have shown during the Christmas season people are more prone to anxiety &
depression. Then there is being worried about finances or the realization that somehow we are
not where or who we want to be.
Several years ago I read a book called “Bring Back the Joy.” I was in a weird place & had lost
my joy. It’s wasn’t until later that I realized that true joy had never left me, but I was looking
for joy in the wrong places.
When the Wise Men were following the star to discover the King of the Jews, they too looked
in the wrong place. They came to King Herod’s palace only to find Herod didn’t know anything
about the Savior’s birth. But the Wise Men didn’t give up; they kept searching. It was only
when the Wise Men discovered Jesus did they find true joy. And it wasn’t in a grand palace, but
in a humble home.
The Almighty God who led them by a star, lead them to Whom they had been searching for in
faith. Jesus had performed no miracles; hadn’t taught a single lesson, much less spoken a single
word; & yet they fell down & worshiped him as King.
These men came prepared to find the Lord! How do we know this? Because they packed gifts!
They didn’t know how long the journey would be. Neither did they know what would happen
along the way. But they were determined to seek & find the truth for themselves… & once they
encountered the Savior of the world, they were filled with joy & forever changed.
So let me ask: Where do you find your joy?
The same joy the Wise Men found is available to each of us.
God has promised in Proverbs 8:17: “I love those who love Me; & those who
seek Me will nd Me.” Look up, see God’s light & find your joy in the Christ of
Christmas!                                       
​                            Rev Bev
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