“While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for the baby to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son.” Luke 2:6
The Sunday that I wrote this, our minister preached on “joy”. In our Advent Book we read of the baby being born in the stable.....Mary and Joseph’s firstborn, a son. There is usually joy when a baby is born. Smiles and hugs and excitement all around! Picking a name, counting little fingers and toes, intently staring at this tiny little miniature human.
Even in a stable, in the hay, with the animals, the excitement for Mary and Joseph of seeing their newborn son would have brought them great joy. I doubt that they even complained about the accommodations, but were thankful to have somewhere safe and warm and to have their perfect baby that God had promised. How often do we dampen our joy by looking at the flaws....the stable, no doctor, the inconvenience, the dirt and animals.....rather then seeking out the joy?
Everything about Jesus should lead us to joy. He came to save us! He came to love us! He came to forgive us! He came to give us Light and Bread and Life! Jesus is joy! The joy of loving, sharing, serving, kindness, caring, sacrifice. Jesus is the joy of the Father God, incarnate and among us.
“Joy to the World The Lord is come! Let Earth receive Her King!”
Hallelujah!
amen
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