A couple of years ago I bought a Christmas sweatshirt that said “I CHOOSE JOY.” Later, I had to laugh at myself because finding JOY during the holidays has become quite difficult after the loss of our 19-year-old son in 2016. This will be our 7th Christmas without our kiddo. The grief over losing him is amplified during the holiday season when all should be merry and bright.
If you are like me and asking God for JOY this Christmas, let’s remind each other that God has already answered that prayer. It’s true! The truth is easily remembered this time of year especially. Our neighbors are displaying it in their front yards. It’s being sung about in stores and on the radio. The congregation weeps, as it repeats its sounding JOY.
Let Heaven and nature sing!
Let Heaven and nature sing!
Because JOY was born and laid in a manger all those millennia ago. JESUS was born, set apart and given to us. This is not a gift God saves until Christmas morning, or one we have to beg for. Joy is an inherent gift in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ. It comes freely, without strings. It only requires a choice made by me and you.
I can hear the cry of so many hearts -
Why choose JOY when my heart is broken?
Why choose JOY when all I want to do is be sad?
Why choose JOY when the world around me is screaming about grief and loss and defeat?
But even in the midst of our disappointments and sadness we know that it’s true - we get to choose JOY.
Man, it would be so easy to shut down and just let our sadness cover us like a warm blanket. It’s tempting to lay down and try to sleep through the next month that hurts to even think about. But as believers our choice has already been made. And it’s a good one…
If Jesus is in your life, then JOY is inherently present. Even the most mournful cry to our Father will lead us into the presence of His love, His healing, and yes even His JOY.
That will be my goal this Christmas season. I won’t be asking God for joy. I will be inviting Jesus into this difficult season with me. And thanking Him for the JOY that only His presence can bring. Because He IS JOY!
I don’t know about you, but I desperately need Jesus and His JOY at my banquet table this Christmas.
Jennie Hughes
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