“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” – Matthew 2:10

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10

JOY! JOY! JOY! Really? Joy in the pandemic? In chaos? In hatred? In division? In pain? In suffering? In loss? Joy in Christmas…this Christmas? Yes, joy, true joy. It is more than an expression or an emotion. It is more than happiness. Joy, true joy, rises above circumstances, situations, events, happenings, and for that matter, the lack of such things. Sherwood Wirt in “Jesus, Man of Joy” explains joy this way.

“We have learned that joy is more than a sense of the comic, more than earthly pleasure, and to a believer even more than what we call happiness. Joy is the enjoyment of God and the good things that comes from the hand of God. If our new freedom in Christ is a piece of angel food cake, joy is the frosting. If the Bible gives us the wonderful words of life, joy supplies the music. If the way to heaven turns out to be an arduous steep climb, joy sets up the chair life.”

True, real joy is consistent and is reflected in contentment. Not a contentment based on what we are experiencing or not experiencing, but rather in knowing and having a relationship with the “…one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:6

JOY….Jesus Over You.

Teri and I pray God’s Christmas JOY for you and yours!

Blessings,

~ Mark Knapp – Beck’s Chaplain