“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord.” Luke 2:10
Ah, Christmas is in the air. It really is one of the most wonderful times of year. The lights, the trees, the presents. Of course, Christmas means so much more than all that. During this season there seems to be a little more joy being spread around. Then again, sometimes we try to force joy upon ourselves and others.
The Christian life is full of ordinary things that together work for the extraordinary purpose of glorifying God. We rejoice in the promises of God and yet at times our hearts are sad. Even David, the great king of Israel, struggled at times.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Psalm 42:1-4
Despite the problems we face in this world, we are called to be a people of rejoicing. The Scriptures call us to “rejoice in the Lord always.”
Why so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God! Psalm 42:5
This Sunday of Advent reminds us that although the world can offer us happiness, and at that, only on occasion, it is only Jesus Christ who can offer us true joy.
About the Art:
Angels Announcing the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds by Govert Flinck, 1639.
Govert Flinck was a Dutch painter born January 25, 1615 and died February 2, 1660. He was a Baroque painter of portraits and one of Rembrandt's most accomplished followers.