Merry Christmas! I hope it was filled with peace and joy.  My family went to Christmas Eve service and did the whole matching PJs tradition.  We hurried up to slow down and tried to give the kids moments to giggle. Moments to be kids.  This year does feel a little different. I have heard from many friends who said this was without a doubt the toughest Christmas season.  Maybe it was for you too. 

This year has brought about change for some families that will leave a lasting imprint on hearts.  The last several months have been a downward spiral of uncertainty, isolation, and fear for those affected the most by the pandemic.  If that’s you, I am so sorry.  

How do you find joy or celebrate a season, a holiday, that is “different” ? I was listening to the song Joy to the World yesterday and was brought to tears.  Many Christmas songs are actually hymns. I’ve heard the song countless times throughout my life. But, this time it hit me in a new way. 

Joy to the world, the Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing. 

The writer of Joy to the World based the lyrics on Psalm 98 as well as a few verses in Psalm 96 and Genesis 3.

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn— shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.”

Psalm 98 

Because Jesus came into the world, there is joy. Because He died for our sins, there is hope.  

Our joy is not dependent on our circumstances or how we feel. Yet, how often do we operate from that place? My emotions, my hurt, my circumstances, more often than not, rule my joy factor.  I’m learning, when we make room for Him we allow His joy to become the strength we no longer have.  

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

If you are hurting today, I wanted you to know you have a friend that is here. Know that you are not alone.  God sees you.   

Romans 15:13 is my prayer for you. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

I’m reminded today that even in this difficult year for so many, we can trust in God’s love for us and the wonders of his love. He has done marvelous things.  He is joy to the world.  Let’s sing of His love even when it hurts.  Then, repeat the sounding joy. 

How can I be praying for you?