Two-minute read.
“Chara,” the original Hebrew word for joy, means rejoicing, happiness, gladness, filled with joy.[1] An Angel proclaimed Jesus’s entrance into the world. A bold announcement of the gospel, the baby in the manger came to change the world, lighting the darkness and sharing the truth. On that day, so long ago, the best news we will ever receive began its trek through the ages, generation after generation sharing the story of Christ’s birth.
As a shepherd on a hill, the stars shining in the night and the angels appearing would scare me. But heavenly hosts quickly assured the men, “Fear not, I bring you good news.” Only divine intervention would calm my nerves in such a climactic moment. A new era of peace and salvation came with the babe in the manger, as an angelic choir sang praises to God as the story unfolded.
Joy, unspeakable Joy
An overflowing well
No tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy
Rises in my soul
Never lets me go
Christ Tomlin[2]
Traveling over Christmas, Ron and I attended Family Church Marco. Within their walls, I heard Chris Tomlin’s version of Joy to the World for the first time. As the chords of the guitar began, the worship leader’s voice led us through the lyrics, and joy filled my heart as I thought of the birth of the Savior, my lifeline, my everything. Without Christ, I can’t live, but with Him, I can do all things through the One who strengthens me.
As we celebrate the Savior’s birth, listen to the words of your favorite Christmas hymn and let it seep into your soul. Fill your heart with the love of Christ, dispelling all fears and anxieties, and letting your soul overflow with the divine love that entered the world that starry night so long ago.
Journal Questions:
What makes you fearful this holiday season?
In what ways does Jesus’s birth fill your heart with joy?
How can you celebrate Jesus’s birth in a fresh, new way this year?
Joyful Application:
Sing joyful praises to the Lord with the angelic hosts!
[1] NIV Exhaustive Concordance Dictionary Copyright © 2015 by Zondervan.
[2] https://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/joy-to-the-world-unspeakable-joy-chris-tomlin/
