Christmas Joy

What makes Christmas a joyful season for you? Sure, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Christ child. It is a season of giving and celebration. People seem to be nicer to one another than any other time of year – at least we hope they are. But where does the joy of Christmas come from?

Because of the joy awaiting him, [Jesus] endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
─ Hebrews 12:2 NLT

The motivation behind Christmas joy could be the joy of Christ himself. He came to earth to be a ransom for many before the world ever began. Why? Let’s look at three reasons – three joys of Christmas.

1. Our verse says He came for the joy waiting for Him to be “seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
2. He came for the joy He found in His obedience to His Heavenly Father:“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded” (John 10:14-15, 17-18 NLT).
3. The joy He received in making a way for you to be with Him.

Jesus came for joy!

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2-3 ESV).

Today’s One Thing
Think about the joy Christ has in you? He endured the cross so that He could offer you eternity with Him. Take time today to express your joy to God for the gift Jesus is to you.

Go Deeper

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