Merry Christmas!

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“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:10b-11)

This is the message proclaimed to shepherd the night Jesus was born. Did you notice that you were included in that message? The angel said that the good news "will cause great joy for all people". The coming of our Saviour is the source of our joy this season.

As Christmas Day approached, I found myself wondering what kind of Christmas it would be as I wasn't really feeling the "Christmas spirit". I was content but there didn't seem to be anything special about the days. It got me wondering.... is that okay? As a follower of Jesus, shouldn't I be overjoyed celebrating His birth? Doesn't Christmas need to be extraordinary time? Or am I buying into a commercialized vision of Christmas with its' "Christmas Magic" and sentimentality?

The questioning wasn't getting me anywhere - except maybe towards self-criticism so I decided to drop it and just receive the activities and gatherings of the Season as a gift and not worry too much about my emotions. Along the way, I've received some very special gifts - one is being introduced to a song that my daughter sang on Christmas Eve as part of a trio at church. It reminded me again of what good news it is that Christ is born. Here are the lyrics:

Oh How Joyfully
Oh, how joyfully, Oh, how hopefully,
waits the world on Christmas Eve!
Love comes healing, God revealing
Friends, be joyful and believe!
Oh, how joyfully, Oh, how peacefully,
sleeps the world on Christmas Night!
Sins are covered, grace discovered,
In our darkness shines the light!
Oh, how joyfully, Oh, how thankfully,
wakes the world on Christmas Morn!
God has spoken, death is broken,
Alleluia! Christ is born!
Words Copyright © 1993 by Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL


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