December 16

Happy Monday. This week begins the week we concentrate on the joy the Savior brought to the world. I have been sick all weekend. I’ve had a cold that has really stopped my in my tracks. I’ve spend the past two days in my pajamas sleeping or watching Christmas movies. You may think my joy would have left me but the truth is, joy is what is left when happiness leaves the room. It’s not just a one-day thing, but an every-day thing. Our happiness IS dependent on our circumstances but our joy...well, it depends on something much more solid. 


“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:6-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬


The thing in which we have great joy is genuine faith and the belief in Jesus that fills us with this glorious joy! No matter what the world may throw at us, it doesn’t take away our joy—it didn’t give it to us, so it can’t take it away. This joy of ours comes from our new life.


“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.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:10-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬


He will cause great joy for all people! Amen? 


God of Joy, we rejoice in knowing you. Even though we have not seen you, we believe in you and we love you. Though we may have trials and times of sadness here we know you are walking with us and that is cause for us to rejoice. We praise you for our salvation and for all the mighty things you have done. We rejoice because you have defeated death and created a place for us with you in heaven. Give us joy in all our circumstances so those around us can see you in us—a God that is living and true and eternal. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one,

Pam


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