“Merry Christmas” is the greeting of the season. Through much of the year people say “have a good day” or “enjoy your weekend” but this month it’s “Merry Christmas” or some variation of it. Everybody wants to have a happy holiday. More than just wishing for it, most people are actively working for it by buying presents, sing songs, and planning meals. As the song sung by Andy Williams says,
“It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all.”
But this most wonderful time of the year will come to an end. Those who drive around on December 26th will see Christmas trees stripped bear and set outside. If not that day, then soon after, decorations will come down and be put away to sit in a dark attic or basement until next year. And what of that holiday cheer? Will it also disappear from view along with all the Christmas decorations?
If the joy of the season is based on well lubricated parties, once-a-year family gatherings, and the mound of presents under the tree, then yes, the joy of the season will disappear with the decorations. But if the joy of the season comes from God’s gift of a savior in the person of the babe of Bethlehem, then no, joy will not come to an end in the long slog through the cold days of January. Jesus was born to bring joy to every season of the year through his gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation which are granted to all who believe in him.
In John 15:11 Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” In John 16:22 he said, “….I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” And in John 17:13 he prayed for his disciples, “But I am coming to you [Father], and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Jesus came into the world to bring joy to all people, just as the angel said when he announced to the shepherds, “Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be to all people.” Jesus comes into human hearts through faith to bring a joy that does not fluctuate with the seasons or with the contingencies of life because through it all, the one called “Emmanuel” really is “God with us.” For that reason, St. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say, rejoice. Let everyone know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand!”
May these busy days of December be filled with the joy of the season, but even more important, may all the days of every season be filled with the joy of knowing Jesus Christ as savior and lord.
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