Joy Through the World?

Thanksgiving 2018 is now behind us so the preparations for the Christmas season may officially begin. Marketing departments of all types try to force us into these preparations earlier and earlier. I saw the first signs of red and green and holly and ivy back in September. Does it get earlier each year? It was before Halloween when I saw a commercial for Disney proclaiming their 2018 Christmas theme, “Joy Through the World.” It struck me at the time as not just being out of season, but of being out of sync with the source of the true, lasting joy of the season.

We can all attest that there is little joy found in waiting at checkout lines, searching unsuccessfully for the current “must have” toy, anticipating grumpy Uncle Joe’s visit, or realizing it’s your turn to host your family of 47 for Christmas dinner. On the other hand, we do experience a certain joy in finding that special gift for Mom, the one you know will bring tears to her eyes or the look on the children’s faces Christmas morning as they get their first glimpse of the decorated presents under the tree. Maybe you could list many such scenarios that bring you joy at Christmas time.

It’s true that our natural selves can find joy through the world, all the twinkling lights, the glittering decorations, the surprise gifts, the perfect meals. What a greater joy there is for us in God’s promise fulfilled, the joy of fully embracing the angel proclamation to the shepherds over 2,000 years ago “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” That’s the source of true, everlasting JOY and it was God’s perfect gift to the world! Let us all be purposeful in obtaining this joy as we prepare for Christmas. 

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.