Living Changed: At ChristmasSample

Joy

Christmas carols would have us believe this is the season to be jolly. But not all of us have something to be jolly about, and no one can be happy all the time. Thankfully, even though happiness comes and goes based on what’s happening in our lives, we can always have joy.

Happiness and joy are often used interchangeably in our culture, but they’re not the same. We might feel good when there’s pleasant weather, our kids obey, we take a vacation, or we buy a new car. That surface-level emotion is happiness. Joy is something much deeper. It isn’t circumstantial. It has nothing to do with the tangible things of this world. It’s based solely on Christ. Joy is found in our salvation and in the sacrifice that secured our eternity.

In the final moments before Jesus died, one of the criminals who was also being crucified asked why Jesus didn’t save Himself if He was really the Messiah. That’s a fair question. Anyone who has seen a reenactment of a Roman crucifixion, and especially someone who was experiencing the same horrific pain, would ask the same question. Why choose to endure this if you didn’t have to?

In a letter to the Hebrews, the Apostle Paul says that Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set before Him.” No, dying a painful death for our sins was not something Jesus enjoyed. He suffered excruciating mental, emotional, and physical stress. He didn’t go to the cross with happiness, but with joy. Jesus knew what awaited Him was eternity with the Father and fellowship with us. He had joy knowing that His death and resurrection would overcome the betrayal, heartache, pain, and death of this world.

We have joy for the exact same reason. Even in the hardest seasons, we have joy because we know we have an eternal hope and future. As Jesus shows us, having joy doesn’t mean we’ll never experience pain. So often in this life, joy and pain coexist. However, as Christ followers, we’re able to look beyond the pain to what we’ve been promised and know God has more for us. One day, we’ll be reunited with Him in a place where there’s no more sorrow, crying, or pain.

Maybe this holiday season your in-laws are endlessly critical, you’re in the middle of financial hardship, or you’re struggling with a scary diagnosis. Maybe you’re just finding it difficult to be happy. No matter what you’re going through this Christmas season, know that God understands. He sees you, loves you, and will never leave you alone in your hurting. Even in the midst of sadness, you still have joy because your eternity is promised and His promises are true.