Christmas is a season of joy.  The whole season seems to lift one’s spirits. The lights and decorations, the shopping bargains, the special holiday songs, seasonal food traditions, college playoffs, family gatherings, and some people even look forward to snow.  

The story of the birth of Christ is a story of joy.  Those who experienced that first Christmas were filled with joy.

The first recipients of joy were Zacharias and Elizabeth when they were told by the angel Gabriel that a son would be born to them who would prepare the way for the Lord.  The angel said to them: And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth (Luke 1:14).

It was this son of Zacharias and Elizabeth who would leap for joy while yet in his mother’s womb when she was greeted by Mary. (Luke 1:44)

Mary, the mother of Jesus, in her Magnificat praise, announced: My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior (Luke 1:46-47).

Another group who experienced the joy of the season was the magi.  Matthew tells us, When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy (Matthew 2:10).

Finally, Luke (2:10) tells us of an announcement by an angel to the shepherds proclaiming, Good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people.

What made the story of that first Christmas so joyful?  The first thing that made the news of this birth so joyful was that it announced the coming of the Savior. An angel told Joseph In Luke 1:21 to call Mary’s baby, Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Rejoice you who feel that you are lost.  Your Savior comes to seek and save you.  

In Luke 2:11, an angel tells the shepherds that that Savior is Christ the Lord. Joy also filled that first Christmas because it signified the coming of the Christ.  Rejoice because this Savior is also the CHRIST! The Anointed One!

The final reason for joy this holiday season is that this Savior who is the Christ is also the LORD! Luke 1:23 tells us that Jesus’ name is Immanuel, which means God with us. The God-man, Jesus Christ, could take our place as a human, and because He was also the Infinite and the Almighty, the load of all of our guilt can be carried upon His shoulders.  As God, Jesus can save to the uttermost all those that come to Him.  JESUS CHRIST IS THE SECRET OF HAVING JOY IN YOUR HEART.

 Have you accepted Jesus as Savior for the forgiveness of your sins? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus as LORD? This Christmas discover Joy in Jesus