Joy

I recently listened to a sermon from a church up north where the
teacher was discussing "joy." He made a statement that has been
bouncing around in my head since I heard it. He said, "Where joy is
fear has to leave." Being the season of the birth of our Savior, it's
interesting to not that when the angel of the Lord announced to the
shepherds that Jesus had come, the angel said, "Do not be afraid. I
bring you good news of great joy..." Where joy is fear has to leave.

I don't always find it easy to have joy. But throughout my days as a
follower of Jesus, I have discovered that joy has more to do with me
than with my circumstances. Joy is always there. Jesus ushered it
into our world. However, I am the one who misses it from time to
time. I'm the one who gets distracted by illness, finances,
relationships, etc. I am the one who turns my attention away. Jesus
came to this world and ushered in a joy that goes beyond all things
and that joy is not meant to be kept to ourselves. Is it really
possible to keep joy to yourself?

Think about the times in your life when you have been overwhelmed with
joy. Wasn't the first thing you wanted to do was to share it with
someone else? When you get that incredible gift, don't you want to
just share it with someone else so they can have some joy too? I want
to focus on that joy this Christmas. I want to know that joy this
Christmas. I want for you that joy this Christmas.

Don't be afraid, there is good news of great joy!