Finding the Joy Again 

By Steve Hall

I have to confess that in the not too distant past I had lost my joy for Christmas. On the chance that some of you may be experiencing the same things I once did, I'd like to share something with you that helped me.

It was about a week before Christmas three years ago when I fully realized how little joy I felt. My attention was on buying gifts to give rather than on the gift that was given to me on the first Christmas. I was worried about mounting debts instead of rejoicing over the debt that was already paid for me by the one born on that first Christmas. I was totally out of focus and struggling to find the joy I had once felt at the approach of Christmas. 

That day, Cathy (my wife) shared with me about how excited her young students were about Christmas and all the joy they were expressing about the Christmas story and "baby Jesus." It made me remember all the joy and wonder I had experienced as a child at the telling of that story. Glued to the television set, hanging on every word, absorbing every scene as the story unfolded. Straining to look down the aisle of the church to get just a glimpse of the "baby Jesus" during the Christmas play. Asking my Dad questions about the things I didn't understand. Listening intently to his explanations and his retelling of the story on Christmas Eve as he put us to bed. Staring at the Nativity set on our mantle, the figurines almost coming to life as I relived the story in my mind. Reaching out to touch the Christ child as if it was really him. 

Each brightly wrapped present under our tree was a reminder of the precious gifts the wise men brought to the baby. Except for the gold, I really didn't understand what those gifts were, but I knew they must be really special if kings would travel so far for so long to give them. And how very special the "baby Jesus" must be to have angels and kings worshiping him. And somehow, because he was a child and I was a child, we shared a bond together and that meant I was special too. In the midst of reliving those precious, childhood memories, I rediscovered the joy of Christmas and was taught a valuable lesson.

All of us are familiar with the story of Christmas from the accounts in the Bible. The virgin Mary, the carpenter Joseph, the angel Gabriel, Bethlehem, the innkeeper, the manger, the shepherds, the angelic host, King Herod, and the three wise men. It has been presented in songs, plays, movies, television specials, cartoons, videos, and every other form of communications you can think of. In fact, most of us have probably seen or heard it so many times, we've begun to take it for granted. At least I had three years ago. What a mistake that was.

Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." 

As a child, I had unknowingly practiced that scripture. I never tired of hearing and watching presentations about my Savior's birth. In so doing, I had experienced the perfect will of God - joy, wonder and a sense of intimacy with my Lord. As an adult, although I sought the renewing power of scripture in many areas of my life, I'd stopped doing it for Christmas. I conformed to the world. Gifts were purchased, decorations put up, guests entertained, and bills paid - but the renewing of my mind, the joy and intimacy that came with it, had gotten lost in the process.

That Christmas, God used Cathy (as He so often does) to open my eyes and help teach me an important lesson. Since then I've made it a point to do those things I did as a child that gave me so much joy at Christmas. In response, God has given me some wonderful revelations about Christmas that have multiplied that joy many times over. 

One of those revelations came through a book by Max Lucado I found last year, called "Cosmic Christmas." In that book, Max takes a fresh new look at the Christmas story through the fictional words and deeds of the angel Gabriel as he receives and carries out his orders from God for the "spiritual" battle which raged around the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. There were many scenes in that book that touched my heart. But the one that touched me most deeply was a fictional confrontation between God and Satan as God is about to send His greatest gift to Earth.

"The two stood facing each other. God robed in light, each thread glowing. Satan canopied in evil, the very fabric of his robe seeming to crawl. Satan rose slowly off his haunches. Like a wary wolf, he walked a wide circle toward the desk until he stood before the volume (the Book of Life) and read the word: Immanuel. "Immanuel?" He muttered to himself. "God with us?" The hooded head turned squarely toward the face of the Father. "No, Not even you would do that. Not even you would go so far. The plan is bizarre! You don't know how dark I've made the Earth. It's putrid. It's evil. It's . . ."

"It's mine," proclaimed the King. "And I will reclaim what is mine."

"Why?" Satan asked. "Why would you do this?"

The Father's voice was deep and soft. "Because I love them."

He loves us. Loves us so much that He would leave behind the beauty and light of heaven and descend into the darkness of an evil infested Earth. Loves us so much that He would give up the power that spun this universe into existence and controls everything within it to become a helpless child, totally dependent upon an earthly father and mother. Close your eyes and meditate upon the magnitude and purity of that love for a few moments. What He gave up for us. What He became for us. Is it any wonder that the angels, on a cold, dark night some 2,000 years ago proclaimed the "good news of great joy." God loves us. God with us. Emmanuel.

I remain His servant and your brother in Christ,
Sheltered under His wing and overwhelmed by His love.

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