O Come All Ye Faithful
By Gina Smith
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:8-12, NIV
How can you have joy when life is hard? How can you have joy when so many people are suffering? It is possible if you learn what it means to have biblical joy. Over the past several years, as a result of some difficult circumstances, God has had me on a journey of coming to the end of the resources I tend to cling to. He has been showing me that I often find more joy in my purpose and in the things that He has provided than in Him, who is the provider of these good things. He has been teaching me what it means to find joy in spite of my circumstances.
James 1:2-4 says: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
The word “Testing” refers to a positive test intended to make one’s faith “genuine.” The result of the test is steadfastness, which is a life of faithful endurance amid troubles and afflictions. Genuine faith! Endurance! Perseverance! These are the things that are being produced in us during difficult times! It’s easy to think that a life without some form of difficulty is the norm, but the Bible tells us the opposite!
John 16:33 tells us: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
What are the things that he told them so that they might have peace? In the chapter before (John 15), the reader is told to abide. “If you abide in me I will abide in you…apart from me you can do nothing.” We must abide. Draw near. Listen to Him. Rest in Him. If we abide, we will have peace. He doesn’t say, “if you abide, you won’t suffer! ” He says, “you will have peace.”
We find rest when we abide in Christ and His promises, Word, and grace. Choosing to abide during difficult times helps to wean us from the things that we cling to. God wants to wean us from the things that we look to that bring us joy, and for us to find our joy in Him. The losses and suffering that we face are God’s way of helping us to find our joy in Him alone.
In the same way, the Psalmist states in Psalm 131:1-3, “My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty. I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”
We must cooperate with God’s ability to bring peace. We must do our part. We must choose to quiet and calm our souls and focus on God.
So, how can I have joy this Christmas season...
“..put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”
Joy can be present when I calm and quiet my soul and when I put my hope in the Lord.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Christmas is a time for the faithful to gather around the manger and allow our hearts to fill, and burst, with joy when we remember why Christ came. The familiar Christmas hymn, "O Come, All Ye Faithful," draws us into the Christmas story found in Luke 2:8-16. It invites all of God's faithful to come. Abide in Christ, the One who is "Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing."
Worship Him, the Christ who came to live on earth as a sign of God's kingdom, who died on the cross for our salvation, who was raised from the dead, and is now in heaven and is ready to come again and complete his work of establishing God's kingdom. Abide in Him. Adore Him. And you will find true joy.
Let’s pray:
Father, You have given us the best gift. A gift that is better than anything that I could possibly focus on and try to find joy in here on this earth. You gave Your gift of love that came to earth in the form of a baby born with no sin. I want to take time to abide in You and adore You, finding my joy in You alone. Please enable me to be faithful. Amen
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God,
Glory in the highest;
See how the shepherds,
Summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither
Bend our joyful footsteps;
Lo! star led chieftains,
Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child
Bring our hearts’ oblations.
Child, for us sinners
Poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee,
Loving us so dearly?
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing.
Photo credit: Unsplash/JohnyVino
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