Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Has Your Christmas Lost Its Joy?




An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “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 2:9-11)


I will never forget the excitement of Christmas early on in my life.  As the holidays would approach, beginning with Thanksgiving, we knew it would be only a short time before that wonderful day would arrive that we looked forward to all year. CHRISTMAS! 

At first, the delight of setting up the Lionel train set that circled the Christmas tree throughout the holidays. And then the beautiful sounds of Christmas music began floating through the air, along with the smell of pine scented candles.  Throughout this time, we children would be dreaming of all the wonderful gifts we might find under the tree come Christmas morning.

Without a doubt, Christmas was always meant to be a time of great joy.  On that first Christmas night, the
angel announced to the shepherds “good news of a great joy.”  The Savior has come!  WOW!  Those shepherds were so excited.  That announcement changed their lives forever, and they were filled with joy, wonder, and praise.

Are you filled with joy, wonder, and praise this Christmas?  Or has the devil, the thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy stolen those things from you?  If so, there is still time to get it back!

Think about the angel’s announcement, “a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  What does that really mean for you and me? 

1.  The Savior has come to save you from your sins.
So many people are suffering with intense guilt over bad things they have done in the past.  The devil will happily beat you to death with shame and guilt.  But you need not be beaten any longer!  No matter what terrible things you have done in your past. The Savior’s blood that was shed for you on the cross can wash away any stain of sin in your life.   The moment you confess those sins to God and repent of them, you are forgiven!!  Remember what the Lord said to Peter, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” (Acts 10:15).

2.  The Savior has come to save you from an empty present.  
Are you one of those people who are just surviving in this world, but not really living?  Jesus came at Christmas not to fill your empty stocking, but to fill your empty life!  He has a purpose for you.  Surrender your life to Him, and let Him lead you.  He wants to bring you joy and peace, regardless of your circumstances.  And He wants to use your life to make a difference in others that will last for all eternity. 

Begin living for God, and you will begin one of the greatest adventures in life you could have ever imagined; an opportunity to touch another person with the love and joy of Jesus.  

3.  The Savior has come to save you from a hopeless future.   
Everyone without God is without hope.  No one comes to the Father without the Savior, Jesus Christ.  But now He has come, and we can really know Him personally, and we can be assured of His presence and provision while we live … and His heaven when we die. 
Paul said, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him…” (1 Cor. 2:9)  WOW!  What a future is in store for the child of God!

My friend, do not let the devil steal your Christmas JOY and Peace any longer!  The Savior has come, and He has come for YOU!  Receive the good news and rejoice in the truth!




Can God change your life?
God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life.
Discover how you can find peace with God.








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